An air raid alert was briefly triggered all over Ukraine after several MiG-31K aircraft, Kh-47M2 ‘Kinzhal’ hypersonic missiles, were observed taking off in Russia.
When several MiG-31K aircraft, capable of carrying Kh-47M2 "Kinzhal" hypersonic missiles, were seen taking off in Russia, an air raid warning was briefly raised throughout Ukraine.
At least seven Russian Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-31K attack aircraft took out at 11:30 local time from the Savasleyka air base in Nizhny Novgorod Oblast.
According to @war_monitor, the Telegram channel tracking Russian aircraft movements, the alerts were thereafter gradually lifted by all regions as the MiG-31K flew away from their anticipated launch zones.
The MiG-31K is a modified MiG-31BM variant capable of launching the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal hypersonic missile.
A bombing mission may be imminent given that between 10 and 12 aircraft were modified before Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, and the launch of seven of them is a substantial show of force.
What is the Kh-47M2 ‘Kinzhal’ hypersonic missile?
The 'Kinzhal' is a hypersonic air-launched missile that may be carried by either the Tu-22M bomber or the MiG-31K attack aircraft, according to Russian advertising.
It can reach high speeds of either Mach 10 or Mach 12, which are 10 or 12 times the speed of sound, according to official Russian sources. The 'Kinzhal' is most likely based on the Iskander's initial stage with a booster added.
The Iskander is said to be equipped with a high-explosive conventional or thermonuclear weapon warhead weighing between 480 and 700 kilograms (1,060 and 1,540 pounds), despite the fact that little is known about the 'Kinzhal's warhead's contents
During an intense missile attack on the morning of May 16, 2023, at least six Kh-47M2 hypersonic missiles were launched from MiG-31K fighters.
Tags
AVIATION NEWS
