Upgraded Russian Iskander Missiles Foxing Patriot Defense Systems Guarding Kyiv

Russia’ Iskandar surface--to-surface ballistic missiles that struck various targets in Kyiv on May 23-24 mostly got past Ukraine’s American-made Patriot air defense systems due to recently incorporated improvements.

“We and our partners have information that the enemy’s missiles flying a ballistic trajectory - specifically the Iskander-M - have been improved and modernized,” spokesperson for the Ukrainian Air Force, Yuriy Ihnat. said during a national telethon today.

According to the Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson, Russia launched 14 Iskander-M/KN-23 ballistic missiles and 250 strike drones across Ukraine. Ukrainian air defenses downed six missiles and destroyed 245 drones.

He revealed that each missile can now release radar decoys during its final approach to the target, confusing defensive systems.

Due to the upgraded Iskandars, the Patriot missiles - capable of intercepting ballistic targets - may not operate as effectively, Ihnat warned.

Maneuvering trajectory during descent

“Another factor is the quasi-ballistic trajectory. The missile doesn’t fly in a straight path but performs maneuvers. That makes it more difficult for the Patriot system, which is designed to calculate an interception point, to predict where to strike,” he said.

Ihnat stressed that while the upgrades complicate interception, they do not make it impossible. “I think our partners are working on this, so that these systems will also be improved accordingly,” he added.

Iskandar Missiles strike Ukrainian Military Cargo Ship in Odessa

On May 23, the Iskander-M OTRK crew launched a missile strike on a container ship that was transporting military equipment to the port of Odessa, as well as on a container warehouse in the port.

The ship was carrying about 100 containers with military cargo, including unmanned boats, UAVs, and ammunition. This was reported by the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry.