Su-34 fighter-bomber uses Kinzhal hypersonic missile for the first time against targets in Ukraine

The Russian Su-34 multirole fighter-bomber used the Kinzhal hypersonic missile in the course of the «special military operation» in Ukraine, a defense official told TASS.

Until now, the only platform adapted (of which there are published photographs) for the deployment of this weapon was the MiG-31K, a variant of the Mig-31 air defense jet modified as a launch platform for this powerful surface attack weapon. The Kinzhal, when launched from a Mig-31K, has a stated range of 2000km.

However, the Sukhoi Su-34 fighter-bomber is also being adapted for deployment of this missile. «The Su-34 fighter jet used the Kinzhal hypersonic missile in the special military operation. The first crew who successfully accomplished such a task will receive state awards», a Russian Defense Ministry official reportedly told TASS news media.

Developed from the 9k720 Iskander short-range ballistic missile to adapt it for use from aircraft, the Kinzhal missile would feature low radar signature and high maneuverability. It is designed to attack ground and naval targets with a 500kg warhead, flying at about 10 times the speed of sound.

Combat proven

While the Kinzhal (Dagger) hypersonic missile has been in operational status since 2017, it was first used in combat to destroy a Ukrainian subway ammunition depot on March 18, 2023. Following this action, the Kinzhal missile system became the first new generation hypersonic weapon used in combat, in the world.

The results of the Kinzhal would have been somewhat mixed, as Ukrainian air defenses quickly adapted to counter the appearance of this new weapon in the theater of operations, even claiming to shoot down six of these missiles during a Russian attack on targets in the vicinity of Kiev.

Apparently, the target of the Russian attack (which included the employment of nine Kalibr-type cruise missiles and three ground-launched missiles of the Iskander-M and S-400 models) was the Patriot anti-aircraft systems defending the Ukrainian capital. It is likely that it was one of the Kinzhal missiles that penetrated the defensive umbrella and managed to damage (but not destroy) one of the Patriot missile batteries, putting it momentarily out of service.