Russia has changed the tactics of Iskanders and Daggers: this is becoming a problem for Patriot
2 October 19:32
Russia has improved its Iskander-M and Kinzhal ballistic missiles, making them more difficult to intercept by Patriot systems. TheFinancial Times writes about this with reference to its own sources, which indicate that the missiles are now able to change course in flight, dive sharply or perform maneuvers that disorient air defense systems, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
According to the FT’s interlocutors, this creates new challenges for Ukraine’s air defense, which until now was considered one of the most effective in Europe thanks to Western systems.
Loss of Patriot effectiveness
A report by the US Defense Intelligence Agency’s Special Inspector General for April-June 2025 states that the Ukrainian Armed Forces have faced difficulties using Patriot due to improved Russian tactics.
Data from the Ukrainian Air Force confirms that in the summer of 2025, up to 37% of Russian ballistic missiles were shot down, but in September this figure dropped to 6%. At the same time, the number of launches in September was lower, making it difficult to compare.
Why it matters
Patriot systems remain Ukraine’s main means of countering Russian ballistic missiles. They proved their effectiveness in defending Kyiv in 2023-2024, when they were able to shoot down even hypersonic Daggers.
But recent reports suggest that: Moscow is adapting its weapons to the conditions of modern warfare, trying to deplete Ukraine’s air defense and force Kyiv to spend more on interceptor missiles, which cost several million dollars a piece.
As a reminder, Iskander-M is a tactical missile system with a range of up to 500 km, which Russia has been actively using since 2022 to strike Ukraine.
“The Kinzhal is an aerial ballistic missile that the Kremlin calls “hypersonic.” It is launched from MiG-31K aircraft.
In May 2023, the Ukrainian military confirmed for the first time that a Kinzhal was shot down by the Patriot system, which was an information blow to Russian propaganda.
Since then, Russia has been trying to modify the missiles to circumvent Western systems.
