Open source photographs from March 31, 2024 showed missile debris that had impacted in a field in Saratov region, southern russia. Initially thought to be pieces of a possible Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle, closer inspection revealed the debris to highly likely be fragments of a russian Kh-101 air-launched cruise missile, according to the UK Defense Intelligence.
It is highly likely the debris was the result of a malfunction of the Kh-101 missile that was launched towards Ukraine earlier that morning. Saratov region is a known launch box for russian long-range aviation bomber strikes and is the home of Engels Airfield, where several of the bombers are based.
Read more: russia Started Production of the Kh-101 With Two Warheads, Making the Missile Twice As Dangerous
The Kh-101 missile is russia’s premier precision guided munition, with a range of approximately 4,000 km. It has been used extensively against Ukraine, most recently targeting energy infrastructure across the country. The highly likely malfunction of such a prestigious missile indicates issues in its production, likely impacted by sanctions and being rushed to meet the demands of the war.
Read more: The russians Claim That the Kh-101 Cruise Missile Could Receive a Warhead Weighing 800 kg at a Shorter Range
