Launch of Kinzhal from Su-34? Russian disinformation reveals unexpected problem
Photo: Russians claimed to have launched the Kinzhal from a Su-34 (wikipedia.org)
A Russian claim about the alleged use of a Kinzhal missile from a Su-34 bomber revealed an unexpected problem. It may be related to the fact that Russia lacks pilots to carry out strikes on Ukraine, Defense Express reports.
What Russian propaganda has declared
Today, Russian propaganda announced the alleged launch of an air-launched ballistic missile Kinzhal, not from the usual MiG-31K platform, but from the front-line bomber Su-34. The source of the claim was material by the Russian Ministry of Defense's Krasnaya Zvezda (Red Star) newspaper.
However, this is not an official statement. There is only a reference to a sign in the Patriot propaganda park, which claims that "the crew under the command of Colonel Maxim Stefanov" allegedly used the Kinzhal missile for the first time in combat conditions from a Su-34 aircraft.
The material is dedicated to the colonel, who has 20 years of service as a test pilot. The Russians themselves claim that he holds the position of deputy head of one of the units of the 929th Flight Training Center at the Ahtubinsk airfield. It is also where the fifth-generation Su-57 aircraft were stationed (one of which was damaged in June 2024).
What important issue this reveals
Defense Express analysts pointed out that Stefanov's position suggests that he is supposed to engage in theoretical work. However, the situation is quite the opposite — he is directly carrying out combat sorties. The material mentions that he flew both the Su-35 and Su-34 and allegedly hit targets in Ukraine.
"In other words, instead of a 'propaganda success,' the Russians revealed something else — they have such a significant problem with pilots that in the war against Ukraine, they have to use even experienced test pilots," writes Defense Express.
Additionally, there is another contradiction in this story. It is unclear why, if the Russian forces were able to launch the Kinzhal missile from the Su-34M, they were unable to replicate this.
What is known about the Kinzhal missile
The Kinzhal is an air-launched ballistic missile with a claimed capability to carry a nuclear payload. It is equipped with fragmentation-high-explosive warheads for strikes on Ukraine. It is often referred to as a hypersonic missile, but this is not accurate. It is launched from the MiG-31K aircraft and has been used in the Russo-Ukrainian war since March 2022.
The missile can reach speeds of up to 12 Mach, has a warhead mass of up to 500 kg, and has a target engagement range of up to 2,000 km. As a result, air alerts are declared across Ukraine whenever the launch aircraft take off.
For more details, read the material Ballistic and cruise missiles, drones, and other weaponry: What Russia uses to attack Ukraine.
It is worth noting that the US Embassy previously warned about an "increased threat" from Russian attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure.
