Russia used the latest X-69, which is worse than "Kinzhal", to strike at Trypillia TPP - Defence Express

During the attack on the Trypillia thermal power plant, the Russians used their new X-69 cruise missiles, which allowed them to completely destroy the most powerful power plant in Kyiv region. This is evidenced by the found wreckage of this missile.

Source. This was reported by Defence Express, citing its own sources.

The range of the missiles was about 400 km. This parameter exceeds the known estimates of the X-69 range of 300 km.

This is not the first use of the X-69 to strike Ukraine, at least the first mention of their use first appeared in February 2024, although there were isolated cases as early as 2023.

According to the publication, the X-69 is a Russian subsonic (below the speed of sound) cruise missile for tactical aircraft. It can be launched from Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft, and it is intended to become the main cruise missile for the Su-57.

Its characteristics available at the time indicated a range of up to 290 km, but in practice it turned out to be longer. The weight of the warhead was declared to be 310 kg.

Its main feature was the ability to fly ultra-low at an altitude of 20 metres, which was lower than the X-101's capabilities.

Despite the fact that this missile is subsonic and has a smaller warhead than the "hypersonic" X-47M2 Kinzhal, Russia's use of the X-69 to strike the Tripoli thermal power plant was a worse situation.

First, its effective strike indicates that it can penetrate Ukraine's depleted air defences. Secondly, its launch from tactical aircraft negates the characteristic feature of large-scale missile attacks, when takeoffs of Tu-95MS and MiG-31K strategic bombers are recorded.

Also, its use, precisely due to the launch from Su-34 or Su-35, can be more widespread due to the larger number of carriers. However, this is the case if Russia establishes its full-scale serial production, since it is not currently in stock. The numbers on the missile already studied in detail in February corresponded to production at the end of 2023.

At the same time, the range of this missile of 400 km is sufficient to hit a significant number of targets on the territory of Ukraine from tactical aircraft that may well approach the border or the front line at a range of 50-70 km, experts warn.

Background. As it became known, as a result of a massive missile attack, Russians completely destroyed Trypillia thermal power plant in Kyiv region, said Andriy Gota, chairman of the supervisory board of Centrenergo.