LONDON: The Russian Air Force used a hypersonic Kinzhal missile against Ukraine for the first time since August, the British Ministry of Defence said on Tuesday, corroborating earlier Ukrainian reports, according to German news agency (dpa).
“At least one” Kinzhal was fired towards central Ukraine on Dec 13, with a military airfield the likely target, the ministry said in its regular intelligence update on the war.
“In the Ukraine war, Russia has reserved the weapon for what it perceives as high value, well-defended targets,” the update said, adding that the missile has had a “mixed combat debut”.
“Many of its launches have likely missed their intended targets, while Ukraine has also succeeded in intercepting attacks by this supposedly ‘undefeatable’ system.”
The Ukrainian military, which is equipped with Western air defence systems, has said in the past that it had successfully intercepted Kinzhal missiles.
Kyiv said last week that Russian MiG-31 fighter jets had launched a volley of hypersonic missiles at central and western Ukraine.
Ukrainian media reported explosions near the Starokostiantyniv military airfield. The site has long been the target of Russian attacks using drones and missiles.
Russia has stepped up its aerial attacks on Ukraine over recent days, launching drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.
Last winter, the attacks targeted energy infrastructure in particular.
The British ministry has been publishing daily information on the course of the war since the beginning of the fighting in February 2022. Moscow accuses London of spreading disinformation. – BERNAMA-dpa
