Key facts
- Russia is using repurposed training missiles, RM48Us, to drive its aerial onslaught in Ukraine.
- RM48Us accounted for over 50% of Russia's ballistic and hypersonic missile launches in July and early August.
- The RM48U is less accurate than Russia's primary strike missiles like the Iskander.
- Ukraine has largely depleted its Patriot interceptor missile stocks.
- Russia denies intentionally harming civilians, stating it targets military infrastructure.
- The use of RM48Us allows Russia to conserve more advanced missiles for future campaigns.
Russia has escalated its aerial assault on Ukraine by repurposing training missiles, known as RM48Us, which are now making up more than half of its ballistic and hypersonic missile launches. This strategy, previously unreported, allows Moscow to maintain a high tempo of attacks without depleting its stocks of more advanced missiles like the Iskander, KN-23, and Zircons, which it may reserve for winter.
Official Ukrainian data indicates that RM48Us comprised over 50% of the 228 ballistic and hypersonic missiles fired at Ukraine in July and early August. The RM48U, designed as a target practice missile, is less accurate and powerful than the Iskander, with Ukrainian investigators noting an average deviation of around 300 meters from its intended target. This lower precision has been linked to several strikes causing high civilian casualties, including an attack on a railway platform near Kyiv that killed eight people.
Ukraine's air defense capabilities are severely strained, as it has largely exhausted its supply of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors. The country is urging Western allies, particularly the U.S., to provide more Patriot missiles, but production has struggled to meet demand, with supplies being prioritized for other allies. The U.S. is exploring pathways for future defense industrial cooperation with Ukraine.
Russia's defense ministry did not respond to questions regarding its use of RM48Us. Moscow maintains it only targets military infrastructure and denies intentionally harming civilians. The Conflict Intelligence Team, an independent research group, reported a significant increase in Russian civilian casualties in the first seven months of 2026 compared to the previous year.