Jul. 30 — Russia has completed testing of the new Banderol missile and begun its mass production. Analysis of the missile samples indicates that Russians are continuing to modernize the weapon, a representative of Ukrainian intelligence said during a press conference, reported Militarnyi, the Ukrainian defense military outlet. 

Banderol is a small Russian-made missile with a flight range of up to 500 kilometers (about 311 miles).

An intelligence representative said that initially, Russians used an Orion drone to carry a Banderol missile. Currently, the Russian military is launching missiles from ground-based launchers or Mi-28 helicopters.

Usually, the Russians use Banderol missiles to attack port infrastructure, logistics routes, terminals, and food storages in southern Ukraine. The missile attacks only stationary targets with pre-determined coordinates.

Ukrainian interceptor drones are ineffective against the Banderol missile, which poses a problem for Ukraine’s air defense, an intelligence source added.

Ukrainian experts are analyzing downed or unexploded missiles. An examination of these Banderols has shown that the missiles contain foreign-made electronic components, including parts from the United States, Switzerland, Japan, China, and South Korea.

Experts are sharing information about the components with international partners to strengthen export controls and sanctions policies regarding the supply of electronics to Russia. Militarnyi noted that conference participants confirmed that such limitations are already affecting the Russian defense industry.

However, Militarnyi said that the start of the missile’s mass production indicates that the Russians are obtaining electronics through alternative supply channels.

Since July, the Russians have been actively using Banderols to attack civilian infrastructure in the Kharkiv region, including attacks on Kharkiv, Balakliia, and Izium.

Read more

  • Russian forces attack Lozova district in Kharkiv oblast, injuring 3 children

This summer, Russia bombs Kharkiv as much as it can, and our newsroom keeps working despite it all. If you want to support us amidst it all, please consider buying us a $5 coffee or subscribing to our community long-term.