Military analyst Mikhail Khodarenok drew attention to statements by Ukrainian officials about preparations to use ballistic missiles against Russia. According to him, such a threat requires a different level of air and missile defense.

Khodarenok explained that intercepting a ballistic target is a difficult task for any air defense system. In his assessment, only surface-to-air missile systems with non-strategic missile defense potential are suitable for countering such targets. He singled out the S-400 in this role.

The expert noted that a ballistic strike can be launched at any moment. At the same time, he said, it is impossible to keep a surface-to-air missile system switched on in a round-the-clock state of full readiness.

Khodarenok stressed that countering ballistic missiles consists of many elements. Data from an orbital satellite constellation is of primary importance, since it is critical to detect the very fact of a missile launch. While the target is in flight for several minutes, there is time to switch on the SAM system, prepare it for operation, determine the estimated azimuth and altitude of the target, and then launch an interceptor missile.

According to the analyst, such a fight requires powerful radar nodes and groupings of air defense missile troops. He called this a fundamentally different level of countering aerial targets.

Khodarenok warned that prolonging the conflict could lead to a situation in which Ukrainian ballistic missiles begin striking Russia. At the same time, the expert believes that it is impossible to fully cover the entire territory of the country against such a threat.

In this regard, the analyst said that decisions must be made on other forms of using the armed forces. In his assessment, prolonging the conflict is completely contrary to Russia’s interests.

Khodarenok also stressed that the highest form of humanism in such a situation is to end hostilities as quickly as possible and with minimal losses of one’s own forces and resources.