Kanal13

Ukraine begins hunt for Russian ballistic missile launchers; there will be mass destruction

Duration: 2:49 387 transcript words EN summary

Video summary

Countering Russian ballistic missiles has emerged as one of Ukraine's most critical challenges for 2026, especially given the current shortage of air defense missiles. The primary immediate solution identified is the location and destruction of Russian ballistic missile launchers, a task described as complex due to the heavy reliance on operational intelligence. To overcome these difficulties, Ukraine is exploring multiple strategies, including the utilization of early warning radars provided by NATO partners, the analysis of satellite imagery to reveal launch paths, and the gathering of data from human and open sources. These methods aim to pinpoint mobile targets that are otherwise difficult to detect and neutralize in a timely manner. A significant obstacle in this effort is the mobility of the launchers, which makes them harder to hit with unmanned aerial vehicles compared to stationary infrastructure like warehouses or oil refineries. Experts like Anatoli Krachinsky highlight that successfully striking these moving targets requires pilots to maintain precise control over drones during flight, a capability that Ukraine is seeking permission from the US to utilize Starlink terminals for over Russian territory to facilitate. Additionally, while AGM-88 HARM missiles are considered a potential option, their deployment involves scrambling aircraft dangerously close to the state border, rendering them vulnerable targets. The development of domestic ballistic missiles by two Ukrainian companies offers another theoretical path, but since these systems have not yet been tested in combat, their viability remains speculative. The United States is expected to play a pivotal role regardless of which approach Ukraine adopts, likely through intelligence sharing or potentially unblocking Starlink access. If Ukraine successfully disrupts Russian missile capabilities, Russia will be forced to adapt its tactics, but even the mere threat of such attacks could serve as a powerful deterrent. This psychological and strategic pressure could compel Russian crews to take cover and cancel planned launches before they occur. As noted by Krachinsky, there is already successful experience in thwarting mass attacks where enemy actions resulted in the withdrawal of their launchers, suggesting that persistent counter-measures can effectively degrade the threat level even without immediate total victory.

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Countering Russian ballistic missiles is one of the key challenges facing Ukraine in 2026. And given the shortage of air defense missiles, the only immediate solution is to locate and destroy Russian ballistic missile launchers. According to the key of independent, the publication notes that this process is complex, particularly due to the need for operational intelligence. According to the publication, Ukraine can do this in several ways. First, it can use early warning radars belonging to Ukraine's NATO partners. Ukraine is also analyzing satellite imagery which can reveal the location of launch paths. Finally, Ukraine can also use data obtained from human and open sources. Furthermore, as Anatoli Krachinsky, [music] a Ukrainian aviation expert and former officer in the Ukrainian Air Force, noted in a commentary to the publication, the lack of weapons to attack such installations, is also a problem. The publication notes that launchers, unlike warehouses or oil refineries, [music] are difficult to hit with UVs. This is due to their mobility. For such operations, the pilot must be able to control the drone during flight. This is precisely why Ukraine is asking the US for permission to use Starlink terminals over Russian territory. Krabchinsky also notes that Ukraine could use AGM 88 harm missiles for such strikes. However, such missions require not only the immediate scrambling of Ukrainian aircraft, but also their flight dangerously close to the state border, which could make them a vulnerable target. The third solution, according to the publication, could be a Ukrainian ballistic missile. The journalists note that two Ukrainian companies are currently close to developing ballistic missiles. However, given that these missiles have not yet been tested in combat, the viability of a domestic anti-missile system remains a matter of speculation. Journalists note that whatever approach Ukraine takes to counter Russian launchers, the United States will likely play a key role, either through sharing intelligence or potentially unblocking Starlink. If Ukraine succeeds, Russia will attempt [music] to adapt to this tactic. However, even the mere threat of Ukrainian attacks could deter massive Russian attacks, forcing crews to take cover and cancel planned launches. We have successful experience in thwarting mass attacks when the enemy attempted to launch a massive attack, but our actions resulted in the enemy being forced to withdraw their launchers, Krachinsky noted. >> [music]