HUR: Russia Doubles Missile Production Targets Despite Sanctions

Despite ongoing sanctions and aviation losses, Russian missile production is exceeding monthly targets by up to two hundred percent, according to Ukrainian military intelligence.

Increased Production of Basic Missile Types

Despite sanctions and aviation losses, Russia is increasing its missile production, with monthly plans for certain types of missiles being exceeded by up to twice their target amount, stated Vadym Skibitsky, deputy head of Ukraine’s military intelligence HUR, in an interview published on Monday, August 10, with the RBK-Ukraine portal.

Overall, monthly production plans for basic types of missile weapons are currently being fulfilled by Russians at 110-120 percent. According to HUR data, the July production plan for Kh-101 missiles was fulfilled at 140 percent, Kalibrs at 111 percent, and Kh-35 cruise missiles at 200 percent, he said.

Data on Kh-101 and Kalibr Missiles

As an example, Skibitsky cited production plans for Kh-101 cruise missiles, which were set at 72 for July, but 87 were produced. The plan was to produce 26 3M14 Kalibr missiles—29 rolled off the assembly lines. Those Kh-101 missiles that fail during test launches are redirected back to production facilities to be checked and have technical issues resolved, he noted.

According to HUR, most Kalibr missiles launched from surface ships and submarines go to fleet equipment and reserves. Skibitsky explained this by noting that Ukrainian air defense shoots down nearly 100 percent of Kalibrs, provided it has a sufficient number of anti-aircraft missiles.

Iskander Ballistic Missile Stockpile

According to Ukrainian intelligence, the Russians have accumulated a stockpile of Iskander 9M723 ballistic missiles approaching 130 units. Skibitsky reported that the planned monthly production of Iskanders is 60 units. In July, however, 65 missiles were produced instead of 60.

Ukraine’s military intelligence also holds data on the new RM-48U surface-to-surface missile, which uses the S-400 system. The Russians have launched its production; the plan for August is about 40 units, and estimated stockpiles are up to 400 units.

New Additions to the Russian Arsenal

The Banderol cruise missile has also appeared in the Russian arsenal. It is launched from helicopters, but work is underway to enable launching from airplanes. The adversary also possesses Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles and modernized Oniks. Previously, Oniks served exclusively to combat naval targets, but now it has an increased range, a stronger warhead, and can strike land targets.

Suspension of Kinzhal Missile Production

According to Ukrainian military intelligence data, Russia already fulfilled its annual production plan for Zircon and Oniks missiles in the summer. During the first seven months of this year, 33 Zircon missiles and 60 Oniks missiles were produced in Russia, Skibitsky explained in the interview with RBK-Ukraine. He also reported that Russia halted the production of Kinzhal missiles due to their low accuracy. The resources and fuel freed up in this way are currently being directed to the production of other ballistic missiles, he said.