Expert reveals Kh-101 missile upgrades for low-altitude flight
Aviation expert Kostiantyn Kryvolap explained how the Russians managed to modernize the Kh-101 missiles in an interview with Radio NV on July 11.
"They were able to modify the Kh-101 not only by increasing the warhead size but also by equipping it with a cluster warhead," Kryvolap told Radio NV.
"They improved the accelerometer significantly, allowing it to fly at very low altitudes. In some areas, missiles were seen flying at the level of the 17th floor."
Kryvolap added that the Kh-101 is currently the best Russian missile, ranking in the top two or three of its class, and is highly effective and dangerous for Ukraine.
During the July 8 attack, the Russians targeted the Artem plant in Kyiv with the Kh-101 missile.
"The five missiles that hit the Artem plant (I can name this facility because Wikipedia already describes the strikes, locations, and numbers) were also Kh-101s," Kryvolap said.
Russian Kh-101 missiles
Russia struck the Okhmatdyt Children's Hospital in Kyiv with a Kh-101 missile on July 8.
Kh-101 missiles were also used to hit a high-rise building in Uman in April 2023, killing 23 people, and in numerous other attacks, including strikes on the energy sector in 2024.
Russia's Kh-101 strategic air-to-ground cruise missile is one of the most recent Russian developments. The missile is designed using radar-lowering technologies.
Its main characteristics (basic version) are:
- Manufacturer: Raduga Design Bureau, Russia.
- In service: since 2015
- Weight: up to 2,400 kg
- Weight of the warhead: 400 kg
- Cruising speed: 720 km/h
- Range: up to 5,500 km
- Probable deviation: up to 20 m
- Length: 7.45 m
- Diameter: 74.2 cm
- Wingspan: 3 m
Kh-101 missile carriers
- Tu-160: 12 missiles in two internal compartments
- Tu-95MS/MSM: 8 missiles on an external suspension
Such a missile is launched from an altitude of almost 10,000 meters and descends to the target at an altitude of 30-70 meters.
The Russians are now using at least the fourth modification of the Kh-101 missile to strike Ukraine, military expert Ivan Kyrychevskyi told Defence Express in June 2024.
"The previous two modifications had a warhead of 450 kg, which means they had one level of destructive impact," Kyrychevskyi said.
"The third modification, which was used during the strikes on the power system, had a warhead weighing a total of 800 kg."
Russian troops are also using the fourth modification of the Kh-101 missile, which includes a warhead with cluster munitions. If such a missile is shot down, the cluster munitions disperse and impact a large area.
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