Aug 10, 2026

Russia launches ballistic missiles from Iskander-M mobile missile systems, which, after emerging from cover, quickly take up firing positions, launch, and then leave. Therefore, Ukraine’s main challenge is not only detecting such a system but also managing to destroy it within a short period of time.

Military expert and founder of the Reaktivnaya Pochta Foundation, Pavlo Narozhny, explained on Channel 24 under what conditions the Ukrainian Defense Forces could “catch” Russian launchers and why, in one scenario, having our own ballistic missiles is critical. He also described another, significantly more complex, option for hunting Iskander missiles in the Russian rear.

How can Ukraine “catch” Russian launchers?

Russia may have up to a hundred Iskander-M launchers, but their potential operational range can be somewhat limited. The system’s maximum range—approximately 500 kilometers—and the directions of previous launches are known. Furthermore, launching the missile requires a suitable site free of obstructions, such as buildings, trees, or terrain that could interfere with its trajectory.

“Can we catch them? Absolutely. The Iskander-M is a fairly large and distinctive vehicle, very different from civilian trucks. When it emerges from its hiding place, a satellite can see it,
” Narozhny explained.

Destroying the system while it’s in motion is significantly more difficult. It’s more feasible to act when the system has already arrived at its firing position and paused for a few minutes before launch. Such a strike requires a system capable of rapidly covering the distance from Ukraine to the target.

It remains in firing position for several minutes. That’s enough time for us to destroy it from Ukrainian territory with a ballistic missile traveling at Mach 3 or faster. But we need to have precisely these missiles,
” the military expert emphasized.

Under current conditions, it is precisely the lack of a sufficient number of our own ballistic missiles that significantly complicates such strikes.

The second scenario: drones over Russia

Another option for hunting Russian launchers is significantly more complex and, for now, largely theoretical. For this, Ukraine needs stable satellite communications over Russian territory, which would allow it to control attack drones directly behind enemy lines.

If we reach an agreement with SpaceX and they turn on communications for us in enemy territory, then theoretically we could build a drone carrier,
Narozhny said.

Such a platform could be, for example, the Neptune cruise missile, which would carry several loitering munitions. It could be sent to the probable launch area in advance, and after detecting the Iskander, the drones could be released near the target.

We see the launcher approaching a firing position, and drones from Neptune launch and destroy it via Starlink. Right now, this seems more like science fiction, but in the future, such a scenario could become reality,
” the military expert explained.

The implementation of this option is directly dependent on the ability to utilize the SpaceX satellite network over Russia. Until such conditions are met, this method remains a promising concept rather than a ready-made solution for the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

A military expert explained how to destroy Russian missile launchers: watch the video.

https://24tv.ua/ru/u-ukrainy-est-dva-scenarija-borby-iskanderami-kakoj-iz-nih-realno_n3121004