Ukrainian missiles destroy Russian supply hubs – even inside Russia

By David Ax

Ukrainian forces continue to bomb Russian military depots, car parks and ships carrying military equipment in Moscow-controlled territories inside Ukraine and on the Russian border.

Ukrainian military helicopters and drones – “kamikaze” have carried out some of these attacks. However, the Ukrainian brigades are behind most of the strikes with the old Tochka ballistic missiles against the Russian logistics infrastructure. The two-ton missile, which is about 6.5 meters long, usually leaves its pieces – more or less intact – around the point where the 450-kilogram warhead explodes.

One of the most recent Ukrainian rocket attacks was the most impressive. Someone recorded it with his cell phone, and the footage shows three portable launchers – possibly the 19th Missile Brigade – launching Tochka missiles in succession. The video also shows a soldier launching a Stinger surface-to-air missile from his shoulder, possibly targeting Russian drones. The use of Stinger anti-aircraft guns reminds us that the Tochka range is between 70 and 120 kilometers, depending on the model, and is therefore vulnerable to locating and firing at opponents that may be a few kilometers away.

#Ukraine: The cause of some of the recent strikes against Russian targets deep in occupied territory: No less than 3 Ukrainian 9M79-1 Tochka-U ballistic missiles seen launching.

Note Stinger MANPADS to take out possible Russian UAVs that could guide fire onto the launch site. pic.twitter.com/ZkhnYCfKeC

– 🇺🇦 Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) June 23, 2022

The 120-kilometer radius also includes strikes against logistics hubs even inside Russian territory. Since the beginning of the Russian invasion, the Ukrainians have bombed with Tochka – at least – two airports in southern Russia, a Russian phalanx of vehicles carrying fuel to Chernihiv in northern Ukraine, a Russian ammunition depot in eastern Ukraine and another in Khrushchev. Swatovo, also in eastern Ukraine.

A Tochka appears to have set fire to the Russian Navy Saratov landing craft in the Russian-occupied port of Berdyansk in southern Ukraine.

Given the Russian military’s claims that it has shot down several Tochka, the record of successful attacks represents a small part of the Ukrainian effort during the first 120 days of the war.

How many Tochka Ukraine had at the start of the war, we do not know for sure. About 300 or more, as well as at least 40 launchers. Its rockets were a mix of models from the 1970s and models from the late 80s. Kiev technocrats have maintained old missiles for decades to get them ready for the front line.

The Ukrainian missiles are Soviet-made. Ukrainian industry can not develop such missiles to make up for losses. The question therefore arises: what will be born when the 19th Missile Brigade launches the last of the approximately 300 Tochka?

It is possible that Ukraine will procure missiles from an allied force. The Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland have used Tochka in the past and may still have stockpiles in their military depots. Bulgaria has Tochka in its arsenal and could send them to Ukraine.

Sending missiles to Kyiv would provide significant support to Ukrainian forces to expand the range of their strikes against the Russians.