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Russia's most high-tech missiles were unleashed on Ukraine this week, and they can hit the UK from Russia in just nine minutes.
The Kh-47M2 – known in Russia as "Kinzhal", but nicknamed Killjoy by NATO – has been in production since 2017.
But it made its official war debut this week when President Vladimir Putin launched missile after missile on the country he is still intent on invading more than a year on.
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In total, 81 hypersonic missiles were launched in what Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called a “massive” wave of strikes, Newsweek reports.
Russia's always-angry Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu did admit that the missile had been used at least three times by August 2022, but nobody was able to confirm that independently until this week when Ukraine confirmed their usage in the most recent barrage on the country.
The Killjoy can travel 660,000ft at a speed of around 14,700 km/h – meaning that it would take less than 10 minutes to reach the UK from Russia.
It can carry a payload of about 500kg and it is thought that all current forms of missile defence systems are unable to stop the beast – and it is capable of being used as a nuclear warhead.
It also has an almost-pin point accuracy of just one metre.
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In classic Russian style, the manufacturer of the missile has been kept classified, and it's Kinzhal name actually means dagger.
According to the experts at Missile Threat: “Russia likely developed the unique missile to more easily target critical European infrastructure and to counter US theatre missile defences such as THAAD 6.
“An aircraft’s ability to launch from unpredictable directions would strain sectored (non-360 degree) radars, such as those currently deployed with the Patriot system.
“Additionally, if the Kinzhal does indeed have anti-ship capabilities, it may also pose a threat to United States and NATO aircraft carriers..”
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- Vladimir Putin
- Hypersonic
- Missiles
- Russia
- Ukraine
- Russia Ukraine war
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