Since the beginning of November 2023, Russia has halted the use of P-800 "Onyx" missiles in its attacks, allowing for a significant arsenal to be amassed. Military-political analyst Alexander Kovalenko shared his insights on his page in a Telegram channel.
During this period, the number of missiles available to Russian forces has increased to over 500 units, creating a serious threat to Ukraine ahead of the winter heating season.
In spring 2023, the P-800 "Onyx" missiles underwent modernization, during which they received new active homing heads that enhance their accuracy and resistance to jamming. This complicates interception efforts and significantly boosts their effectiveness.
It is known that these missiles are capable of striking southern regions of Ukraine, such as Odessa and Mykolaiv, where they have been utilized in the past.
The main challenge for Ukrainian air defense is that only the "Patriot" and SAMP/T systems can effectively intercept the P-800 "Onyx," and having them in adequate numbers remains critically important for protecting strategic facilities in the southern regions of the country.
Additionally, he noted that in September and October, the Russians did not carry out massive missile strikes on Ukraine, opting instead for attacks with Shahed-136 drones using decoys.
"In October, not a single launch of the 9M728 Iskander-K operational-tactical missile system was recorded, while the enemy regularly employed the 9M723 Iskander-M/KN-23," he stated.