Russia’s military on March 19 said that it had fired a hypersonic ballistic missile and destroyed a big underground arms depot in western Ukraine.
- This is Russia’s first use in this war of the Kinzhal, or Dagger, ballistic missile launched from the air, most likely by a MiG-31 warplane.
- Hypersonic weapons are missiles that travel at five times the speed of sound (Mach 5) or more.
- They can be used to deliver conventional warheads faster and with precision as compared to other weapons.
- These missiles are also capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
- According to Russian officials the Kinzhal can hit a target up to 2,000km (1,240 miles) away, a top speed of Mach 10 and can fly faster than 6,000 km/h.
- It is a highly maneuverable, air launched ballistic missile fired from MiG-31.
- The Kinzhal can carry a nuclear warhead as well as a conventional one.
(Source: BBC)
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