Military briefing: Russian hypersonic missiles bring new menace to Ukraine

Moscow is believed to have used its air-launched Kinzhal missiles against Ukraine before, but never in such a salvo. It was unusual, said Justin Bronk, senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London, because the Kinzhal is a scarce and highly sophisticated ballistic missile designed to overcome the most advanced air defence systems. It can fly at 10 times the speed of sound. “It is one of a handful of specialist systems which, in a clash with Nato for example, Russia would have to be careful about how it chose to use,” said Bronk, adding that Russia probably only had “tens” left in its armoury.