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Zenger
Zenger
World
Joseph Golder

Russia Shows Off Iskander Mobile Ballistic Missile System And Claims Range Of Over 300 Miles

The crew of the Iskander-M fires a missile at the position of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Ukraine in undated footage. The Iskander-M is an upgraded version of the previous version of the Iskander which has a range of 400 km. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Zenger)

This footage allegedly shows a Russian mobile ballistic missile system firing a large rocket at a target in Ukraine, with the Russian Ministry of Defense claiming that it has a range of over 300 miles.

The vehicle, allegedly an Iskander mobile ballistic missile system, can reportedly be seen firing one of its missiles. It can be sporting a white ‘V’ on its side.

The ‘V’, as well as the letters ‘Z’ and ‘O’, is one of the symbols that can be seen painted on Russian military vehicles taking part in the invasion of Ukraine.

The footage then apparently cuts back to the vehicle maneuvering into position. It reportedly shows the missile system preparing its ordnance for launch, having stopped in a wooded area. The firing system is then deployed and the missile is launched – as seen at the beginning of the footage.

The footage was obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) on Thursday, August 4, along with a statement (in Russian) claiming that the images show the “combat work of crews of Iskander-M operational-tactical missile systems of the Air Defense Forces grouping in the zone of the special military operation”.

The Russian MoD also claimed: “The Iskander-M OTRK allows you to deliver high-precision strikes with both aeroballistic and cruise missiles against any targets located at a distance of up to 500 kilometers [311 miles]”.

We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.

The crew of the Iskander-M deploys the ballistic missile system for combat operations in Ukraine in undated footage. The Iskander-M is an upgraded version of the previous version of the Iskander which has a range of 400 km. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Zenger)

The Iskander is a mobile, short-range ballistic missile system that is produced and used by the Russian Armed Forces. They were set to replace the obsolete OTR-21 Tochka systems by 2020, but these have also been used in the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Zenger News contacted the Russian MoD for further comment, as well as the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, but had not received a reply at the time of writing.

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 in what the Kremlin is calling a “special military operation”. Thursday marks the 162nd day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between February 24 and August 4, Russia had lost about 41,500 personnel, 1,789 tanks, 4,026 armored combat vehicles, 946 artillery units, 260 multiple launch rocket systems, 118 air defense systems, 223 warplanes, 191 helicopters, 742 drones, 182 cruise missiles, 15 warships, 2,960 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 83 units of special equipment.

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower, but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

The United Nations is carrying out a fact-finding mission after requests from both Russia and Ukraine following the deaths of 53 Ukrainian POWs in an explosion at a barracks at the Olenivka prison in pro-Russian-controlled Donetsk in eastern Ukraine.

The United States Senate has ratified Finland’s and Sweden’s accession to NATO, with 95 voting in favor and one vote against. The U.S. is now the 23rd NATO member to ratify the countries’ bids to join the alliance. All 30 members have to ratify their bids before Finland and Sweden can become members.

The crew of the Iskander-M prepares the missile system for firing position in Ukraine in undated footage. The Iskander-M is an upgraded version of the previous version of the Iskander which has a range of 400 km. (Ministry of Defense of Russia/Zenger)

The first grain ship exporting food from Ukraine under a deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations has reached Turkey. It is the first of 27 ships planned so far that, it is hoped, will help fight the global food crisis. It has been inspected and is now expected to move through to the other side of the Bosphorus Strait.

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder has faced criticism for having a private meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin after traveling on holiday to Moscow.

Speaking in New York on Wednesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that record profits posted by oil and gas companies amid the war in Ukraine amount to “grotesque greed” and urged governments to implement windfall taxes to raise funds to help those most in need.

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