Russia will use strategic aviation to strike Ukraine. The commander of long-range aviation, Sergei Kobylash, announced that in 2023 Russia would resort to using strategic aviation aircraft to conduct a military defense in Ukraine.
Until recently, it was believed that strategic aviation was already involved in carrying out attacks since launches of Kh-101 cruise missiles were previously recorded, in connection with which the statement of the commander of long-range aviation caused a number of questions.
“In the course of operational and combat training, the use of aviation weapons was planned. Work will continue to improve the practical skills of operating automated control systems and information support for high-precision weapons.
These tasks in 2023 will be solved during the participation of long-range aviation in a special military operation. What is the main feature of their implementation in the coming year”, – said the commander of long-range aviation, Sergey Kobylash.
How effective the use of strategic aviation assets of the Russian Aerospace Forces may be in 2023 is unknown.
However, the Armed Forces of Ukraine are rapidly building up Western-style air defense assets in their arsenal. In particular, it is expected that Ukraine will receive not only American Patriot systems but an additional battery of Patriot air defense systems from Germany in the spring.
The KH-101 missile:
The KH-101 (Russian: Х-101) is a Russian cruise missile with a range of up to 5,500 km (3,400 mi). It is designed to be launched from aircraft, ships, and ground-based launchers.
The missile is equipped with a conventional or nuclear warhead and is capable of flying at low altitudes to avoid detection by enemy radar. The KH-101 was developed by the Raduga design bureau and is thought to have entered service in the Russian military in the early 2000s.
It is believed to be carried by the Tu-95MS Bear and Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers and the Su-34 Fullback fighter bomber. The KH-101 is believed to be a more advanced version of the earlier KH-55 cruise missile.
Features at Glance:
Here are some known features of the KH-101 cruise missile:
- Range: up to 5,500 km (3,400 mi)
- Payload: a conventional or nuclear warhead
- Guidance: inertial navigation system (INS) with terrain-following radar, plus satellite and/or terrain-reference guidance for mid-course updates
- Launch Platform: aircraft, ships, and ground-based launchers can be launched.
- Flight profile: low-altitude, sea-skimming flight to avoid radar detection
- Warhead: high-explosive or nuclear, with a yield of up to 500 kt
- Dimensions: length: 7.3 m (23 ft 11 in); wingspan: 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in); diameter: 0.6 m (2 ft 0 in)
- Launch weight: 2,500 kg (5,500 lb)
- Speed: subsonic, approximately 0.8 Mach
- Deployment: entered service in the Russian military in the early 2000s