Russia strikes Trypillia TPP with latest Kh-69 missiles - Defense Express
Photo: Kh-69 missile (Russian media)
On the morning of April 11, the Russian Federation struck the Trypillia Thermal Power Plant (TPP) with the latest Kh-69 cruise missile. This is evidenced by the found debris, according to Defense Express.
According to the received information, the range of the launch of the Russian missiles is about 400 kilometers. This parameter exceeds the known range estimates of the Kh-69 at 300 kilometers, as the next iteration of the Kh-59MK2.
The use of the Kh-69 missiles by Russia
This is not the first time when the Russian army has used these missiles to attack Ukraine. In February of this year, it was already mentioned that Russia had started using them to strike Ukraine, and isolated cases of use were reported in 2023. Later, this unofficial information was confirmed thanks to the publication of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise (KNRIFE) on the study of Kh-69 debris.
The Kh-69 is a Russian subsonic cruise missile for tactical aviation aircraft. It is launched from Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft. Moreover, it is intended to become the main cruise missile for the Su-57.
What is known about the missile
Available data on the missile up to now indicated a range of up to 290 kilometers, but in practice, it turned out to be greater. The weight of the warhead was declared to be within 310 kilograms. The missile guidance system, according to declarations, is similar to that of the Kh-101: satellite navigation with jam-resistant antennas Kometa-M antennas, as well as inertial. Its main feature is the ability to fly at very low altitudes at a height of 20 meters, which is lower than the capabilities of the Kh-101.
It is interesting that although the missile is subsonic and has a smaller warhead than the hypersonic Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, the use of it for a strike against the Trypillia TPP can be considered a worse scenario.
The dangers of the Kh-69
The results of its strikes indicate its capability to penetrate the depleted Ukrainian air defenses. Secondly, launching the missile from an aircraft negates the characteristic feature of large-scale missile attacks, where the takeoff of strategic bombers Tu-95MS and MiG-31K is detected.
Launching it from a Su-34 or Su-35 aircraft may suggest a more massive character due to the greater number of carriers. However, this is possible if Russia establishes its serial production.
The missile's range of 400 kilometers is sufficient to strike a significant number of targets on the territory of Ukraine from tactical aviation aircraft, that may well approach the border or the front line at a distance of 50-70 km.
Russian attack on Ukraine on the night of April 11
That night, Russians once again launched a combined attack on Ukraine. The main target was the Lviv region.
In total, Russia used 82 means of air attack, including dozens of missiles and 40 attack UAVs.
A total of 57 air targets were destroyed by Ukrainian Air Defense Forces:
- 16 Kh-101/Kh-555 cruise missiles;
- 39 Shahed-131/136 attack UAVs;
- 2 Kh-59 guided missiles.
Among other things, during the massive attack, Russians completely destroyed the Trypillia thermal power plant located in Kyiv region.
