Russia tests Banderol cruise missile against Kyiv

Russian forces are reported to have used the Banderol cruise missile in an attack on Kyiv for the first time, according to Ukrainian media and Russian war correspondent Alexander Kots. The Russian defence ministry has not confirmed the claim.

Developed by the Russian firm Kronstadt, the Banderol missile is described as a cheaper alternative to the Kh‑101 and Kh‑69 systems. It can be launched from the Orion drone and is slated for integration onto tactical aircraft and helicopters. Technical specifications cite a range of up to 500 km, a speed of about 650 km/h, and a 150 kg fragmentation warhead. Guidance combines inertial navigation with the Kometa‑8M system, which is said to resist jamming and allow complex flight paths that could complicate interception.

Analysts note the missile’s capability for tight‑radius maneuvers may pose new challenges for air‑defence systems, highlighting an evolving aspect of the Russia‑Ukraine conflict.