Ballistic missiles become especially dangerous when conducting combined attacks. This tactic forces Ukraine’s air defense forces to distribute their limited resources among numerous targets.
Unlike attack drones, which fly relatively slowly, ballistic missiles move at extremely high speeds and have fundamentally different flight trajectories.
For example, the Russian “Iskander” missile can reach speeds six to seven times the speed of sound and carry up to 700 kilograms of explosives.
The missile first rises to a high altitude and then sharply dives toward its target.
Russia also uses “Oreshnik” missiles against Ukraine and, according to Ukrainian officials, “S-400” missiles adapted for strikes against ground targets.
One of the few systems capable of intercepting Russian ballistic missiles is the American Patriot system with PAC-3 interceptors.
That is why it is vital for Ukraine to have a sufficient quantity of such ammunition.
The problem of missile defense systems may remain especially relevant due to the depletion of US missile defense reserves.
In light of this, Ukrainian military officials and analysts urge not to rely solely on Patriot missiles and to seek additional ways to reduce the potential of Russian missiles.
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