Presidential adviser explains how Russians accurately hit Ukrainian bridges with missiles
Russia is using optical and radar homing heads to increase the accuracy of ballistic missile strikes on bridges in Ukraine.
Source: Serhii "Flash" Beskrestnov, presidential adviser and an expert in radio technologies
Quote: "Sadly, the enemy is hitting bridges very accurately. How are they managing to do this? Given the total suppression of navigation across the entire country during air raids, it is difficult for an Iskander to hit a target with metre-level accuracy. The inertial system will not provide such precision."
Details: Beskrestnov said that to increase strike accuracy Iskanders utilise "optical-type homing heads 9E436 and 9B918 or expensive radar-guided 9B918 homing heads".
Quote: "As the warhead descends over several seconds, a radar scan of the terrain takes place, and a correction is fed into the missile's guidance system."
Details: The War&Sanctions database of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) contains information on both types of homing heads used in 9M723 Iskander-M ballistic missiles.
In particular, the 9E436 optical correlation homing head is manufactured by Russia's TSNIIAG JSC. NII Television JSC is also involved in its production.
Meanwhile, the 9B918 active radar homing head is manufactured by Russia's NPP Radar MMS JSC.
Background:
- On the night of 6-7 November, the Russians attacked the Pivnichnyi (North) Bridge in Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said six ballistic missiles were launched against the bridge, four of which hit the target.
- On 27 October, Russian troops launched several ballistic missiles against the Pivdennyi (South) Bridge in Kyiv. As Ukrainian Air Force spokesperson Yurii Ihnat reported during a national joint 24/7 newscast, the bridge deck was damaged as a result of the strike.
- In August, DIU posted data on 140 Russian and foreign components of the 9M723 Iskander-M system ballistic missile. Intelligence reports indicate only a quarter of these parts were manufactured by Russian companies, whereas 63 components originated from the US.
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