The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal Russian nuclear-capable hypersonic aero-ballistic air-to-surface missile proved to be highly effective and invulnerable to enemy air defenses during the special military operation in Ukraine, Chief of General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces and First Deputy Defense Minister Valery Gerasimov told a briefing for foreign military attaches on December 22.

The Kinzhal was one of six Russian strategic weapons unveiled by Russian President Vladimir Putin on 1 March 2018. It saw it first combat use in the early days of the special military operation in Ukraine.

“For the first time, hypersonic weapons were employed in combat conditions. The Kinzhal airborne missile system proved to be highly effective and invulnerable to air defense capabilities deployed in Ukraine,” TASS quoted the military chief as saying.

Poster Comment:

When launched from a jet, it is a Mach 12 missile with a Kinetic Energy impact equivalent of 8,800 pounds of TNT. It digs at hole 98 feet deep where its target used to be. The Russians gave the Kinzhal to Iran as they are now a strategic partner.