Russia launches the Kinjal Hypersonic Missile into Ukraine

Igor Konashenkov, Spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Defense, announced that they used the "Kinjal" hypersonic missile for the first time in the operation they carried out on an ammunition depot in the Ivano-Frankivsk region of Ukraine. After this statement, the question of what a hypersonic missile is became a matter of curiosity.

Explaining that they used the Kinjal hypersonic missile for the first time in the invasion of Ukraine, Konashenkov said, "On March 18, the Kinjal missile system with hypersonic aeroballistic missiles destroyed the arsenal of Ukrainian military units in the Delyatin settlement in the Ivano-Frankivsk region, where a large missile and aviation ammunition were located."

It was reported that 69 military elements belonging to the defense of Ukraine were destroyed in the operation. It was added to the explanations that 4 air defense missile systems, 4 command centers, 1 target designation radar station, 3 multi-barrel rocket launchers, 12 ammunition and 43 military technical vehicle areas were destroyed.

What is the Kinjal hypersonic missile?

First seen when Vladimir Putin introduced six new Russian strategic weapons in March 2018, the Kinjal hypersonic missile is the name given to aeroballistic air-to-ground missile systems capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear warheads.

It is also stated that these missiles can move 10 times faster than the speed of sound, have a range of more than 2,000 kilometers, and perform maneuvers that can evade every stage of flight. It was stated that these missiles, which are used with the help of warplanes, can overcome air defense systems due to their unpredictable maneuvers and high speeds and therefore pose a great danger.