The Ukrainian air force command announced today that it deployed countermeasures to prevent a series of Russian Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missiles from reaching their targets. Russian MiG-31K fighter jets launched the missiles on the afternoon of 11/2, taking off from the Savasleyka airbase in Nizhny Novgorod province.

The command did not provide details on the specific measures implemented, nor did it disclose the number of missiles used by Russia or the intended targets.

Russian MiG-31K fighter jets carrying Kinzhal missiles participate in drills in 6/2024. *Photo: Russian Ministry of Defense*

AMK Mapping, an X account tracking open-source intelligence on the conflict, assessed that Russia fired three Kinzhal missiles at the Lviv State Aircraft Repair Plant (LDARZ) in western Ukraine. According to the account, "Two missiles hit their targets, and one munition was shot down north of Shepetivka city in Khmelnitsky province". The Russian Ministry of Defense has not commented on this information.

The Lviv State Aircraft Repair Plant, established in 10/1939, employs over 900 personnel and specializes in repairing MiG-29 fighter jets. Russian officials claim the facility also services F-16 fighter jets and produces unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Last month, the Russian military attacked LDARZ with Oreshnik ballistic missiles, which carry hypersonic warheads. Russia claimed this attack damaged production lines, storage facilities for unmanned aerial vehicles, and other infrastructure within the plant's premises.

Location of Lviv and Shepetivka cities. *Graphic: RYV*

Ukraine has repeatedly claimed to intercept many or all Kinzhal hypersonic missiles during enemy assaults. Conversely, Russian officials assert that the Ukrainian military often exaggerates the number of Kinzhal missiles deployed and misidentifies missile types.

Last year, Ukrainian and Western officials acknowledged Russia's success in improving various missile types, including Iskander-M and Kinzhal, to penetrate enemy air defenses. Russian electronic warfare forces also employ tactics to challenge Ukrainian air defenses, such as emitting electromagnetic pulses that cause surveillance radars to misidentify targets as Kinzhal missiles.

Nguyen Tien (According to AP, AFP, Reuters)