Banderol cruise missiles are being used increasingly often in the special military operation zone and have largely taken over the role previously filled by the lightweight multipurpose guided missile known as Izdeliye 305, according to the Military Chronicle Telegram channel.

The channel pointed to a growing number of published videos showing Banderol strikes. Its authors said the new weapon has effectively pushed LMUR missiles, traditionally launched from army aviation helicopters, out of much of their former battlefield role.

The two systems differ significantly in their characteristics. Izdeliye 305 can strike targets at ranges of up to 16 kilometers and carries a warhead weighing about 25 kilograms. Its flight speed reaches roughly 830 kilometers per hour. The missile uses an electro-optical seeker and can transmit imagery back to the operator through a data link.

Banderol follows a different design approach. It reaches speeds of up to 560 kilometers per hour, while its stated maximum range is far greater at 500 kilometers. Reports in August indicated that the combination of relatively high speed and low visibility makes the missile a difficult target for enemy air defenses.

Military expert Dmitry Kornev, editor of the Novy Oboronny Zakaz magazine, previously told Business FM that Banderol is not limited to a single type of launch platform. According to him, the missiles are already being launched from Orion unmanned aerial vehicles, each capable of carrying at least one Banderol. Helicopters can also be used as launch platforms.