Ruta Block 2 missile: Russian defector develops strike weapon to fight Russia
Photo: Missiles (Getty Images)
The company Destinus has unveiled its new Ruta Block 2 cruise missile, which significantly outperforms the previous version across all key specifications and can be used in combat conditions against Russian forces, according to a publication by Defense Express.
New version of cruise missile
Destinus has unveiled the Ruta Block 2 cruise missile, which differs fundamentally from the first version that was closer in concept to a "missile-drone."
The new missile is equipped with a powerful warhead, has a range of more than 450 km, and features a multifunctional guidance system using artificial intelligence. According to developers, this system is capable of breaking through layered air defense even under conditions of active electronic countermeasures.
Technical features and innovations
The Ruta Block 2 received an improved low-observable airframe and a folding wing design, allowing launches both from a transport-launch container and from under an aircraft wing.
The warhead weighs more than 250 kg, while the nose section is fitted with an infrared homing seeker that ensures high accuracy in the terminal phase of flight. These solutions make the missile a fundamentally new development rather than a simple upgrade of the previous model.
Purpose and combat potential
According to Destinus, the new version was designed with scalable production in mind and with potential use against Russian military forces.
The company, founded by Mikhail Kokorich, who left Russia under Vladimir Putin, positions the missile as a safe and effective means of countering threats from the Russian Federation.
Overall, Ruta Block 2 represents a significant technological leap: the increased warhead mass, improved aerodynamic performance, and integration of AI-based guidance make it one of the most advanced cruise missiles currently on the market and a potential tool for strikes against Russian positions.
In early 2026, Russian occupation forces for the first time used the new Geran-5 strike drone during combined aerial attacks against Ukraine, a development described as a significant enhancement of the adversary’s capabilities.
In addition, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has published data on dozens of items of foreign technological equipment used by Russian enterprises to manufacture missiles, highlighting the extent to which Russia’s defense industry depends on external supplies.
