Russia Used New Banderol Missiles in Kiev Attack
Ukraine says Russia used new Banderol cruise missiles in a major Kiev attack involving dozens of missiles and hundreds of drones.
Russian forces used new compact Banderol cruise missiles during a night attack on Kiev, according to Ukrainian claims cited by the Telegram channel Voyennaya Khronika.
Kiev said at least three of the missiles struck targets inside the city. Ukrainian officials have not specified which facilities were hit by the weapons.
According to Voyennaya Khronika, the Banderol is fitted with a Chinese Swiwin SW800Pro turbojet engine. Its guidance system relies on GLONASS and GPS navigation, protected by Russia’s Kometa eight-channel antenna with a controlled radiation pattern. The missile reportedly carries a warhead weighing about 150 kilograms and has an estimated launch range of roughly 450 kilometers.
The strike took place overnight on June 15 and became one of the largest attacks in recent months. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 70 missiles of various types and 611 attack drones. Vladimir Zelensky said more than 60 missiles were fired at Kiev alone.
The outlet 19FortyFive earlier described the S8000 Banderol as comparable to the American JASSM missile. According to the publication, the weapon is up to five meters long and has a range of about 500 kilometers.
The missile can reportedly be carried by drones, allowing launch platforms to remain outside the reach of Ukrainian air defenses. Its speed also makes interception and early detection more difficult than in the case of kamikaze drones.