Desperation? Russia Claims To Have Fired Hypersonic Missile At Ukraine, Used First Time In A War

In yet another sign that the war which has been going on for three weeks is not progressing as Russia had planned, Moscow on Saturday said that it has used its latest hypersonic missile, Kinzhal, for the first time in combat during its offensive in Ukraine.

The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, also known as 'Dagger', is a Russian nuclear-capable hypersonic aeroballistic air-to-ground missile.

AFP/ File

It has a claimed range of more than 2,000 km, Mach 10 speed, and an ability to perform evasive manoeuvers at every stage of its flight.

It can carry both conventional and nuclear warheads and can be launched from Tu-22M3 bombers or MIG 31 K interceptors.

AFP

The Kinzhal entered service in December 2017 and is one of the six new Russian strategic weapons unveiled by President Vladimir Putin earlier this month.

According to Major General Igor Konashenkov, the Spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry the hypersonic missiles destroyed an underground warehouse storing missiles and aviation ammunition of Ukrainian troops in the western Ivano-Frankivsk region.

Konashenkov also said that the Russian forces used the anti-ship missile system Bastion to strike Ukrainian military facilities near the Black Sea port of Odesa.

AP

This comes as the war that Russia launched on February 24 entered its 24th day on Saturday.

The relentless bombardment has caused massive damages to both civilian and military infrastructure in Ukraine, but the war has prolonged for way more than Russia had anticipated.

Ukrainian forces have mounted stiff resistance and even have fought back, inflicting heavy damages on the Russian troops and arms.

According to the Ukraine military, Russia has so far lost over 14,400 men, 466 tanks, 1470 armoured personnel vehicles, 214 artillery systems, 44 anti-aircraft warfare systems, 95 aircraft, 115 helicopters, 17 drones, 914 vehicles, 60 fuel tanks, 3 boats and 11 special equipments so far in the war.

??Information on #Russian troop losses according to the General Staff of the Armed Forces of #Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/7xeoZMKMk4

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 19, 2022

According to some researchers, the war is costing as much as $22 billion per day for the Russian military.

And with the losses, the military has suffered many believe that Russia may soon run out of ammunition and men to continue the war.

The US had claimed that Russia had approached China, seeking military equipment.

Apart from the cost of the war, Russia also has to deal with the financial implications of the sanctions imposed by the US, EU and others.

Since the invasion of Ukraine, the Russian ruble has decreased in value by thirty percent and now one ruble is worth less than a penny. (Rs 0.71 according to the current value)

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