Russia is giving some of its missiles greater range and larger warheads, Ukraine says

Russia is working to increase the range of some ballistic and anti-ship missiles, giving the latter a more powerful warhead, according to a new assessment from Ukraine’s military intelligence agency.

The assessment comes as Ukraine endures worsening Russian missile and drone attacks, while facing a shortage of interceptors and other air defense equipment to stop the deadly bombardments.

The agency, also known as the GUR, said on Wednesday that Russia is developing a modernized variant of its 9M723 “Iskander-M,” a tactical ballistic missile, with a projected range of 340 to 440 miles — roughly 100 farther than its predecessor.

The GUR said in August that Russia had used an upgraded “Iskander-1000” missile for the first time over the summer. It was modified with a larger engine and launcher to increase its range.

Russia has also armed its 3M55 “Oniks” anti-ship missiles with larger warheads and increased their range “to enhance their effectiveness against ground targets,” the GUR said. It did not disclose specifics, but said Moscow has produced dozens over the past seven months.

Russia’s defense ministry and its US embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the GUR’s assessment.

The assessment comes as Russia has ramped up its missile and drone attacks in recent months. As winter draws near, strikes on Ukraine’s critical energy infrastructure in particular have civilians bracing for yet another brutal stretch.

Complicating matters is Ukraine’s perpetual shortage of interceptors needed to defend against the Russian attacks. Kyiv has repeatedly lobbied for its allies to transfer more air defense missiles to shield cities from the bombardments.

On Monday, Russian strikes against Ukraine’s southern Zaporizhzhia region killed at least 33 people, according to Ukrainian officials.

Meanwhile, the GUR said Russia “maintains significant stockpiles of long-range missile weapons and continues to increase its production rate, despite international sanctions.”

Russian reserves include up to 700 ballistic missiles and thousands of cruise missiles, the GUR said, adding that Moscow’s defense industry is capable of producing more than 200 of these weapons each month.

The inventory includes the Iskander-M and Oniks missiles, as well as RM-48U missiles for the S-400 air defense system, the 3M22 “Zircon” anti-ship and land-attack missile, and 3M14 “Kalibr” cruise missiles.

The GUR said “technical defects” — specifically, an issue firing from aircraft — have been detected in the X-101 cruise missile that Russia frequently uses to attack Ukraine. “Consequently, some batches are being returned to factories for repairs,” the agency said.

Manufacturing for the X-47M2 “Kinzhal” ballistic missile remains suspended because of accuracy issues, the GUR said, adding that the existing production capacity has been redirected to other missiles.