Why does the Russian Defense Ministry use Iskander complexes in Ukraine
During the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation has repeatedly reported on the use of the Iskander tactical missile system (OTRK) to destroy the infrastructure of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. "Newspaper.Ru" figured out what was the purpose of demonstrating the work of this complex.
The Iskander-M tactical missile system, according to the NATO classification SS-26 Stone ("Stone"), is designed to deliver missile strikes against particularly important small-sized and area targets in the depth of the operational formation of enemy troops.
"As part of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, there are 13 missile brigades equipped with the Iskander missile defense system, as well as a separate missile division of the 60th Combat Use Center at the Kapustin Yar test site. The total number of launchers in the "M" modification, according to official data, is more than 150 units, the number of "K" complexes with cruise missiles it is not known for certain," he told the newspaper.En" military expert, retired Major General Leonid Artemyev.
The expert noted that Iskander is a complex that includes several machines for various purposes. In addition to the 9P78-1 self-propelled launcher, it includes a 9T250 transport and charging vehicle with two additional missiles, a 9C552 command and staff vehicle that provides radio communication at a range of up to 350 kilometers, a regulation and maintenance vehicle (MRTO), an information preparation point (FIR) that provides the determination of target coordinates and the preparation of flight tasks for rockets.
Mobility of movement of the complex is provided by a four-axle chassis of high cross-country MZKT-7930 "Astrologer" of Belarusian production with a wheel formula of 8x8, as well as KAMAZ vehicles. Their use allows you to move along the highway at a speed of at least 70 km / h, on dirt roads - 40 km / h.
At the same time, Iskander is capable of launching 9M729 missiles, which became the reason for the United States to terminate the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles (INF) in August 2019.
According to the Americans, the range of this missile exceeded the lower limit of 500 kilometers established by the treaty. The claims were first announced back in 2014 under President Barack Obama. Pentagon experts believed that the official range of the missile was fictitiously underestimated to hide the violation of the INF Treaty, and the real range is 2000-2600 km.
"Either you eliminate this system, eliminate the launcher, or change it in such a way that the range of action will not go beyond the limits," Andrea Thomson, the US Deputy Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, demanded from the Kremlin in 2018. Moscow categorically denied the charges and at the same time noted that Washington had not provided evidence.
"The latest videos of the Ministry of Defense showed the work of the Iskander complex with the 9M723 missile. It is likely that a cluster-type ammunition with elements of a volumetric detonating action was used," he told the newspaper.En" military expert Boris Jerelievsky. - The flight trajectory of the 9M723 is not only non-ballistic, but also difficult to predict. After the launch and already when approaching the target, this missile performs extremely intensive maneuvering, which the interceptor missile is not able to respond to."
Major General Artemyev, in turn, believes that by demonstrating the work of Iskanders, the Ministry of Defense sent a signal to Ukraine that "any military target on its territory is within reach." In addition, Artemyev believes, it was "a signal for the countries of Europe."
"This is even, first of all, a signal not to Ukraine, NATO in general or the United States, but specifically to Europe. Iskander cannot be intercepted. In addition to the high combat characteristics of the OTRK, there is also a psychological effect on a potential enemy, associated precisely with its potential.
- the general summed up.
Victor Sokirko
