"They Could Have Been New Missiles."

An aviation expert speculated on what was used to attack the plant in Voronezh.

In Voronezh, a military facility was attacked using high-precision cruise missiles attacked a factory that manufactures electronics for Russian "Iskander" missiles and X-101s. It is possible that foreign weapons were used. Since 2024, a program has been underway to modernize several types of American weapons for use by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

This was reported on the air by “Channel 24”Anatoliy Khrapchynskyi, a Ukrainian aviation expert, Air Force reserve officer, and development director at a defense enterprise, adding that there were plans to modernize the AGM-158 JASSM missiles.

When Ukraine was expecting to receive F-16s, the question arose regarding the need to also acquire JASSM missiles capable of striking at a range of at least 600 kilometers to target key military facilities in Russia. In 2024, a program was launched to upgrade the AGM-158 JASSM missiles to the AGM-188 variant, with a total weight of 200 kilograms and a payload of approximately 50 kilograms.

This was intended to allow these missiles to be launched from F-16 aircraft or from upgraded pylons on older Soviet-era aircraft operated by Ukraine. The aviation expert noted that there had been some reports suggesting this type of weapon had been used in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine. In other words, tests had already been conducted.

“The Americans themselves are interested in developing long-range missiles that are significantly cheaper and technologically advanced. It is worth noting the possibility of using an ultra-low flight profile to remain undetected by radar,” explained Khrapchinsky.

Commenting on the attack on the plant in Voronezh, the aviation expert pointed out that three missiles struck two buildings, resulting in significant damage. According to Khrapchinsky, whether Storm Shadow/SCALP or AGM-188 missiles were used in the attack can be determined by examining the debris, provided such data is made public.

“The Russians will, in any case, emphasize that Western weapons were used. Accordingly, they will put pressure on our partners,” Khrapchinsky stated.

The program to modernize foreign weapons systems is in its final stages; as the director of development at the defense enterprise noted, the first tests have already taken place. Therefore, there is a possibility that the SOU could have used these very missiles, especially given Ukraine’s current fleet of aircraft. He concluded that the new, modern warheads can inflict enormous damage even despite the missile’s relatively light warhead weight.

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