Russia launches new version of Kh-69 missile at Ukraine

The Russian military began using a new version of the Kh-69 missile, which received a cluster warhead.

A photo of a fragment of the Russian missile was posted on the “Polkovnyk GSH” telegram channel.

It is claimed that the missile had been shot down by the Ukrainian air defense on October 19.

“An Kh-69 cruise missile with a cassette warhead was shot down tonight,” the message states.

This Russian missile with this type of payload was seen for the first time in Ukraine.

The photo shows a warhead that contains lethal fragments in the form of metal pellets.

“If you find such pellets on the ground, do not touch them and call the State Emergency Service,” the post states.

The first confirmation of strikes by Kh-69 missiles with a penetrating high explosive warhead was published in February 2024. The Russians also used the latest Kh-69 cruise missile to strike the Trypilska thermal power plant in April this year.

The manufacturer claims that the Kh-69 is capable of delivering a 310 kg warhead to a target at a distance of at least 300 km.

This missile can be launched from the external winglets of Su-30, Su-34 and Su-35S aircraft, as well as from the internal compartment of the latest Su-57 due to its square cross-section.

The Kh-69 missile, which was called the Kh-59MK2 during its first public presentation in 2009, is being developed and manufactured at the facilities of the Raduga Design Bureau.

In 2015, the Kh-59MK2 was completely redesigned with the stealth elements. In fact, only the guidance system remained unchanged. The hull now has a boxy trapezoidal cross-section, adapted for placement in the internal compartment of the Su-57, although it can be suspended on the external pylons.