How Cluster Kh-101 Cruise Missile Looks Like and Why It’s So Dangerous

On June 12, russia attempted another long-range strike on Ukraine, which was successfully repelled by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

According to the Air Force Command, russia launched four Kh-101 cruise missiles from four Tu-95MS aircraft, one Kh-47 Kinzhal missile, one ballistic missile from the Iskander missile system and 24 Shahed drones. All were intercepted except for the Iskander missile. It was later discovered that downed Kh-101 missiles contained cluster munitions, prompting authorities to urge residents of Vasylkiv, Hlevakha and nearby villages to exercise extreme caution and avoid approaching any suspicious objects.

Read more: High-profile Operation: Targets for Ukrainian Drones – Tu-22M3 Loaded with Nuclear Weapons at Akhtubinsk

Defense Express highlights that intercepting missile with a cluster warhead does not ensure that its sub-elements will detonate in the air. Consequently, areas where such missiles fall may be contaminated with hazardous cluster submunitions.

These submunitions resemble metal spheres or truncated cylinders, roughly 10 cm in diameter, designed to damage light vehicles and personnel in open areas. They often feature an automatic detonation system with a timer that activates after a certain period, posing a significant danger as they can explode unexpectedly.

The Kh-101 submunitions Defense Express How Cluster Kh-101 Cruise Missile Look Like and Why It’s So Dangerous — The Kh-101 submunitions / Defense Express

It is noteworthy that the first use of the Kh-101 missile with a cluster warhead was recorded on June 7. Sources tracking missile flight paths suggest that the targets of the Kh-101 strikes were likely the airfields in Starokostiantyniv and, more recently, Vasylkiv, given the effectiveness of cluster submunitions against aircraft and airfield equipment in open areas.

June 7 attack Defense Express How Cluster Kh-101 Cruise Missile Look Like and Why It’s So Dangerous — June 7 attack / Photo credit: monitorwar

The cluster Kh-101 variant features two warheads. The primary warhead remains a fragmentation-explosive type weighing approximately 400 kg, while the secondary, slightly lighter warhead is accommodated by reducing the missile’s fuel tank size. This variant was first recorded at the end of March.