Russia attacks Ukraine with secret missiles: what is known about the 9M729

Russia is using 9M729 missiles against Ukraine — a secret weapon that once caused the United States to withdraw from the treaty on the elimination of medium- and shorter-range missiles. These long-range cruise missiles are capable of striking targets not only in Ukraine, but throughout Europe. Find out what this missile is and why it is dangerous

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Russia is once again using weapons against Ukraine that were once the subject of international controversy. Moscow has begun using 9M729 cruise missiles, whose very existence was one of the reasons for the United States' withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty). This is the first official case in which the Ukrainian side has confirmed the use of these missiles in combat operations. This was announced on 31 October by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga, according to Reuters.

What kind of missile is it?

The 9M729 missile is a secret development based on the Iskander complex. According to analysts' estimates, it is capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 2,500 kilometres and can be equipped with both conventional and nuclear warheads. In October, one of these missiles flew more than 1,200 kilometres, hitting a target deep inside Ukrainian territory.

This range allows Russia to attack from deep within its territory without risking exposure of its launchers. Experts believe that Moscow is using the Ukrainian theatre of war as a testing ground to test and improve the system in real combat conditions.

Evidence of use

On 5 October, after a strike on a residential building in the village of Lapaivka, located 600 kilometres from the Russian border, fragments of a missile were found. They bear markings confirming that the debris belongs to the 9M729 type. An analysis of photographs of the debris conducted by Reuters showed that the shape of the engine, cable connections and body matched the parameters of this missile.

Ukrainian sources report that Russia has launched at least 23 such missiles since August, with the first recorded launches taking place as early as 2022.

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Why this violates international agreements

The INF Treaty, signed back in 1987, prohibited the production, testing and deployment of ground-based ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 km. It was the US's suspicion that the 9M729 missile violated these restrictions that prompted Washington to withdraw from the agreement in 2019.

By using these missiles, the Kremlin is demonstrating its complete disregard for international treaties and once again threatening not only Ukraine but the whole of Europe. According to Andriy Sibiga, the use of 9M729 missiles is ‘a striking example of Putin's disregard for international obligations and an attempt to blackmail the West with force.’

Threat to Europe

Western analysts believe that the appearance of the 9M729 in Russia's arsenal changes the strategic balance in the region. These missiles give Moscow the ability to strike European targets while remaining outside the range of most missile defence systems.

The use of such weapons demonstrates that Russia is expanding the scope of the conflict, turning the war against Ukraine into a test of new weapons systems that potentially threaten NATO countries. Experts warn that the use of the 9M729 is not just a military escalation, but a signal to the whole world that Russia is no longer constrained by any international framework.

Ukraine insists that the only way to stop such attacks is to strengthen its own long-range weapons and missile defence capabilities. Sibiga stressed that the support of Western partners remains critically important, as now not only Ukraine but also the security of the entire European continent is under threat.

Are you travelling to Ukraine? Remember that the entire country is currently at war, despite the fact that active hostilities are taking place in the east and south of the country! Moreover, there is a continuing risk of air strikes in all regions of Ukraine.

At the same time, Ukraine continues to welcome foreign tourists, and the country's tourism industry has begun to revive somewhat in recent times.

If you are planning to visit Ukraine, we strongly recommend that you take out an insurance policy covering military risks.

Reminder! Russian propaganda is once again trying to pass off wishful thinking as reality — Putin has declared that Ukrainian cities are ‘surrounded,’ but the facts and official data confirm the opposite. Find out what is really happening in eastern Ukraine and why the Kremlin's statements have nothing to do with reality.

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