Russia could launch a massive attack on Ukraine using its new Iskander-1000 missiles, according to a prominent Russian military expert.
Vasily Dandykin, a reserve captain first rank, told Russian news outlet Lenta.ru that the quasi-ballistic missile is capable of carrying a larger explosive payload than any drone, and its near-hypersonic speed makes it extremely difficult to intercept.
His comments followed an assessment by the American defence publication The War Zone, which reported that the upgraded missile system would create significant new problems for Ukrainian forces.
Extended range to Polish border
According to Ukrainian officials cited by The War Zone, the Iskander-1000, formally designated as the 9M723-2, was developed from the existing 9M723 missile. The new variant boasts a flight range of 1,000 kilometres, a substantial increase over the 390 kilometre range of its predecessor.
Dandykin said this extended range would allow Russian forces to strike targets across the entirety of Ukrainian controlled territory, reaching as far as the border with Poland and other neighbouring countries.
He said the Iskander system remains the primary strike weapon of the Russian army, and suggested that the new 1,000 kilometre variant had already been deployed in combat, predicting it would see more massive use.
Weakened air defences
The military expert asserted that the weapon's near-hypersonic speed is a major source of concern for Kyiv, particularly given the current state of its defensive network.
Dandykin claimed that the Ukrainian air defence system had been significantly weakened by previous Russian strikes and a lack of sufficient missile supplies from Western allies. As a result, he said, Ukrainian forces were now largely unable to shoot down incoming Russian missiles.
The Iskander is a mobile, solid-propellant ballistic missile system that has been a cornerstone of Russia's tactical strike capabilities, designed to evade enemy air defences while delivering heavy conventional warheads.
