{
  "id": 2118443,
  "title": "Russia stops mass-producing Kinzhals amid accuracy problems, but 50 missiles remain ready for Ukraine",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/russia-stops-mass-producing-kinzhals-amid-accuracy-problems-but-50",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-20T10:59:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euromaidan Press",
    "slug": "euromaidan-press",
    "url": "https://euromaidanpress.com/2026/08/20/russia-keeps-50-kinzhal-missiles-in-reserve/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In April, Russia halted mass production of its Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles, but still possesses roughly 50 of them in its arsenal, according to Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR), Ukrainska Pravda reported on 20 August. The Kinzhal missile is launched from aircraft and travels at high speed, making it challenging for Ukraine to defend against. HUR cited accuracy problems as the reason for the suspension. Moscow is now reallocating production resources to other ballistic and cruise missiles that can be manufactured and utilized more reliably. Russia is shifting its focus towards missiles it believes to be more accurate and easier to produce in large quantities. The production shift allows Russia to maintain the necessary production rates and ensure regular use of missiles against Ukraine, according to HUR. Despite the suspension, Russia retains a substantial reserve of Kinzhals, which can still be utilized against Ukraine.",
  "summary": "Russia is redirecting resources toward other ballistic and cruise missiles as it seeks to maintain the pace of strikes against Ukraine.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Meduza (English)",
        "title": "Russia and Ukraine are sending assault groups deep behind enemy lines, blurring the front line",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/russia-and-ukraine-are-sending-assault-groups-deep-behind-enemy-lines",
        "published": "2026-08-20T08:49:13.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Euronews",
        "title": "Banderol, Russia’s new low-cost weapon testing Ukraine’s air defences",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/20/banderol-russias-new-low-cost-weapon-testing-ukraines-air-defences",
        "published": "2026-08-20T10:29:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}