Kateryna Chornovol21:06, 27.08.24

This is also evidenced by the latest attacks by the Russian Federation in Ukraine.

Russia has only three MiG-31K aircraft left with which to strike Ukraine, according to aviation expert and analyst Konstantin Krivolap.

“They have 3 MiG-31Ks left, yesterday there were 3 Kinzhal strikes, today there were 3 Kinzhal strikes. This means that they have 3 MiG-31Ks left, because our two strikes on the Savasleyka airfield yielded results. Maybe there are some more MiG-31Ks there that can be repaired, but at the moment they have three Kinzhals,” he emphasized on the air of the Kiev24 TV channel .

The expert noted that where there are no Patriot or SAMP/T systems, it is impossible to shoot down ballistics. He also heard that F-16 aircraft should have helped in this matter, but this is not the case.

“There are no such aircraft in the world, no air-launched missiles that could destroy ballistic missiles. Period. There is nothing more to talk about here. Either we have the Patriot and the SAMP/T, and then we shoot down the Kinzhals, and the Iskander-Ms, and all other ballistic missiles, or if we don’t have them there, there will be hits. This must be clearly understood,” Krivpolap stated.

How Many MiG-31Ks Could Russia Use to Strike Ukraine?

MiG-31K aircraft: characteristics

The MiG-31K aircraft is a modification of the Soviet MiG-31 interceptor fighter, designed to carry and launch Kinzhal (Kh-47M2) hypersonic missiles.

The crew of this aircraft consists of 2 people (pilot and weapons systems operator), and the maximum speed is up to 3,000 km/h. The combat radius of the MiG-31K fighters is about 1,500 km without refueling.

The Russian Federation actively uses MiG-31K to launch Kinzhal hypersonic missiles against Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, trying to inflict maximum damage. In this regard, attacks using MiG-31Ks pose a serious threat to the civilian population and infrastructure of Ukraine, so large-scale air raid alarms are often declared during takeoffs of these fighters.

Although Kinzhal missiles are considered extremely difficult to intercept due to their high speed and maneuverability, Ukrainian defenders have shot down such targets before. For example, in May 2023, the Ukrainian Air Force reported successfully intercepting six Kinzhal missiles using Patriot air defense systems.

(C) UNIAN 2024