Kh-47M2 Kinzhal
RussianKh-47M2 Kinzhal / NATO: AS-24 Killjoy
The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal ("Dagger") is an air-launched ballistic missile carried by Russia's MiG-31K and Tu-22M3 aircraft. Russia advertised it as "hypersonic and invincible," but Ukraine succeeded in intercepting multiple Kinzhal missiles using Patriot PAC-3 systems in 2023, disproving claims of invincibility.
Primary Role
Strategic and deep operational strikes — designed to defeat SAM systems
First documented use in Ukraine: 2022-03-18
Specifications
| Range | ~2,000 km (from launch aircraft) |
| Speed | Mach 10 (claimed), Mach 4–5 (actual terminal) |
| Warhead | Conventional or nuclear (480 kg HE) |
| Guidance | INS + GLONASS + terminal active radar/optical |
| CEP | ~1–7 m |
| Launch platform | MiG-31K, Tu-22M3 |
✓ Strengths
- •Very high speed during terminal phase
- •Long range when carrier aircraft is counted
- •Higher altitude and different profile from cruise missiles
- •Can carry nuclear warhead if needed
⚠ Limitations
- •Not truly hypersonic throughout flight — slower than claimed
- •Can be intercepted by Patriot PAC-3 (proven May 2023)
- •Small production numbers — not suitable for mass strike campaigns
- •Requires specialized launch aircraft (MiG-31K)
Notable Use
Russia fired the first combat Kinzhal on March 18, 2022. On May 4, 2023, Ukrainian Patriot PAC-3 systems shot down 6 Kinzhal missiles in a single day, definitively disproving Russia's claims of invincibility.
Ukraine War Context
Russia has used Kinzhals sparingly due to limited production. They have struck Lviv (fuel depot), Odesa, and underground facilities. The May 2023 interceptions were a major embarrassment for Russia and demonstrated the effectiveness of modern SAM systems even against claimed hypersonic threats.