{
  "id": 2597476,
  "title": "Ukraine targets Kinzhal, Iskander-M and KN-23 guidance as Patriot interceptors run short",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/ukraine-targets-kinzhal-iskander-m-and-kn-23-guidance-as-patriot",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-22T15:09:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Voice of Ukraine",
    "slug": "new-voice-of-ukraine",
    "url": "https://english.nv.ua/nation/how-ukraine-uses-electronic-warfare-against-russian-ballistic-missiles-50634911.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ukraine's defense forces are grappling with the challenge of countering Russian ballistic missiles, as their interceptor missiles for Patriot systems remain scarce. Russia has made ballistic missiles a key weapon in its attacks on Ukraine, particularly in Kyiv and Kyiv Oblast.\n\nFor months, Russia refrained from using Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missiles, which it had previously employed in large-scale attacks on Ukraine. The use of Kinzhals was halted due to the effectiveness of Ukraine's electronic warfare systems, which managed to counter these missiles. Ukrinform sought insights from Anatolii Khrapchynskyi, director of development for a defense business and a Ukrainian Air Force reserve officer, to discuss the Kinzhal situation and assess the potential countermeasures against other aerial weapons, including Iskander-M and KN-23.\n\nThe first reason Russia stopped using Kinzhal missiles is the limitations of the supersonic MiG-31K fighter that carries the Kinzhal. This aircraft, based on the Soviet MiG-31, underwent modifications to accommodate the Kinzhal missile, which weighs around 4,300 kilograms. The removal of the MiG-31's standard armament and radar equipment, as well as the need for it to reach high altitudes and supersonic speeds, significantly reduces the service life of its D-30F6 engines. These engines have already experienced issues, such as catching fire at Belarus’ Machulishchy airfield in December 2022 and January 2023. Consequently, Russia has been forced to limit the sorties of strategic aircraft like the Tu-95MS and Tu-160, which also share similar engine problems.\n\nThe second reason for the pause in Kinzhal missile usage is the increased activity of Ukraine's electronic warfare against these missiles. The missiles rely on an inertial navigation system, which requires updates from the GLONASS satellite system to maintain accuracy. Ukraine utilizes satellite spoofing, feeding false coordinates to the missile, creating discrepancies in the satellite's readings. This causes the missile's guidance system to make erroneous maneuvers, leading to critical errors during high-speed flight, often resulting in the missile crashing into forests or fields where its aerodynamic limits are exceeded.\n\nElectronic warfare proves effective in disrupting guided aerial bombs as well. The Iskander-M ballistic missile, Russia's ground-launched counterpart to the Kinzhal, also features a combined guidance system with an inertial navigation system, GLONASS satellite correction channel, and terminal phase optical or radar correlation seeker. Ukraine can affect the Iskander-M's satellite signals, causing the missile to rely solely on its simplified internal inertial navigation system, which increases its circular error probable, potentially endangering civilian buildings in frontline cities.",
  "summary": "Anatolii Khrapchynskyi, director of development for a defense business and a Ukrainian Air Force reserve officer, explained how Ukraine’s defense forces are seeking ways to counter Russian ballistic missiles amid a lack of interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems.",
  "key_points": [
    "Russia halted Kinzhal missile use due to MiG-31K limitations and electronic warfare.",
    "Ukraine's electronic warfare disrupts Iskander-M missile guidance, increasing error probable.",
    "KN-23 guidance system also faces electronic warfare interference, impacting Russian strikes."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 5,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "New Voice of Ukraine",
        "title": "Wadephul expects a positive result from Patriot missile talks for Ukraine",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/wadephul-expects-a-positive-result-from-patriot-missile-talks-for",
        "published": "2026-08-22T13:04:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Investing.com",
        "title": "Putin says Ukraine opened ’Pandora’s box’ with strikes on economic targets",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/putin-says-ukraine-opened-pandoras-box-with-strikes-on-economic",
        "published": "2026-08-22T16:06:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Business Recorder",
        "title": "Putin says Ukraine opened 'Pandora's box' with strikes on economic targets",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/putin-says-ukraine-opened-pandoras-box-with-strikes-on-economic-2610496",
        "published": "2026-08-22T16:32:11.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Ajel English",
        "title": "Putin warns Ukraine has 'opened the gates of hell' with attacks on Russian economic targets",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/putin-warns-ukraine-has-opened-the-gates-of-hell-with-attacks-on",
        "published": "2026-08-22T17:50:34.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}