December 6, 2022
Russia has pounded Ukraine with newly made cruise missiles in recent weeks, British weapons researchers said Monday, suggesting that production has continued months after Western governments imposed unprecedented sanctions on Moscow.
The Conflict Armament Research (CAR) said its experts were in Kyiv on Nov. 23 when Russia fired around 70 cruise missiles.
Analysis of two of the missiles’ remnants showed them to be Kh-101 air-to-surface guided weapons with marks indicating they were produced between July-September and October-November 2022, CAR said. Two other Kh-101 remnants that struck Kyiv in June and October had been produced in 2018 and 2019, according to the investigative team.
The short turnaround simultaneously demonstrates Russia’s ability to produce guided weapons despite sanctions on its tech sector as well as its stockpile challenges, the researchers said.
Previous CAR analysis had shown Kh-101 cruise missiles to be heavily reliant on U.S. and Europe-based components and technologies.
Russia has fired thousands of long-range cruise missiles as well as short- and medium-range ballistic missiles since invading Ukraine in February.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin claimed on Nov. 23 that trade restrictions would slow down Russia’s ability to produce precision-guided weapons.
“Those claims have been made since April, so we’re just pointing to the fact that these cruise missiles being made so recently may be a symptom of that, but it’s not a certainty,” Damien Spleeters, who led CAR’s investigation, told The New York Times.
Russia may be using newer munitions alongside older ones amid problems with stockpiles, an unnamed U.S. defense intelligence analyst was cited as saying.
Militaries often use older munitions before deploying newer ordnances because they make up most of their stockpile, according to NYT.
Russian media has reported that munition plant workers have been ordered to work overtime to produce more ordnance.
“Russia Firing Newly Made Missiles in Ukraine Despite Sanctions”
Is there anything that the West can do that isn’t half-assed? Is it trying to imitate mafia land in incompetency?
But…
“Militaries often use older munitions before deploying newer ordnances because they make up most of their stockpile, according to NYT.”
Meaning, that mafia land is forced to use newer missiles because the older ones are all gone … or at least almost all gone.
… or instead of blaming the West perhaps ask what is coming from China their ideological followers.
“As Russian missiles struck Ukraine, Western tech still flowed”
https://www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/ukraine-crisis-russia-missiles-chips/
“‘Silicon Lifeline’: Report Reveals Western Technology Guiding Russia’s Weapons in Ukraine”
https://www.voanews.com/a/silicon-lifeline-report-reveals-western-technology-guiding-russia-s-weapons-in-ukraine/6708050.html
“Western tech in Russian weapons”
https://www.graphicnews.com/en/pages/43183/military-western-tech-in-russian-weapons-1
“How Hard Is Russia Trying To Acquire Sensitive Western Military Technology? A U.S. Indictment Provides Clues.”
https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-western-military-technology-indictment-/32095089.html
“Russia’s Weapons Use Old and Even Western Electronics, Report Shows”
https://www.popularmechanics.com/military/weapons/a41234073/russias-weapons-use-old-electronics/
Repurposed commercial chips from dishwashers and microwaves with some 30 years old. Yeah, use of those is impossible to stop.
Which calls for more air defense. Why is Switzerland not allowing export of ammunition for the Gepard? Why are not patriots sent? I write my US senators on a regular basis plead for the love of humanity to not allow this genocide to continue.
Oh by the way, China’s exports to Russia are up by more than 20%.
Chinese Firms Are Selling Russia Goods Its Military Needs to Keep Fighting in Ukraine
Rising exports of microchips, aluminum oxide, other dual-use items undermine Western push to stall Russian war effort
https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinese-firms-are-selling-russia-goods-its-military-needs-to-keep-fighting-in-ukraine-11657877403
Good points. The West is weak and cowardly. This in a nutshell. Things would be decidedly different with a strong and courageous West. If things don’t change, in this regard, I’m not looking forward to a more aggressive China.
Yes, the historical transformation from totalitarianism is frustrating slow.
We will never be able to force Russia, China, Vietnam, Afghanistan or anyplace to effectively make use of democracy. Places like Germany and Japan had societies that could handle the complex concept.
In time, Russia will see letting Putin accumulate unquestioned power was what led to the war. But even 150 years from now there will be those blaming Ukraine for killing so many conscripts the same way even we see blame placed on those who fought to end slavery (as if they did something wrong). Those posts in this forum sicken and dishearten me.
True understanding is impossible when people don’t honestly seek it.
So yes, the West is weak but the Earth is weaker and will not withstand nuclear confrontation in the pursuit of domination.
We are asking everywhere, including possible deals between Biden and Xi.