Russia has declassified old Iskander missiles: what their modernization really means.

According to ТСН: The Kremlin is trying to create the impression of a new 'superweapon' to scare Ukraine's Western partners. However, what is presented as the 'modernization' of Iskander missiles is actually the declassification of old developments that Russia has kept secret due to international agreements.

Masters of 'the picture'

According to an expert, nothing significant has changed in the Russian military-industrial complex.

'If you look closely, the situation is quite simple. Russia is trying to scare the West as much as possible. Therefore, the Kremlin is increasing psychological pressure on people by talking about the 'Iskander' with a range of 1000 kilometers,' explained Kryvolap.

History of deception

The expert noted that the range limitations of missiles to 500 km were regulated by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF Treaty), signed by the US and the USSR in 1987. However, Moscow began violating it almost immediately.

'Practically immediately after that, the Russians began developing the RS-26 and 'Iskander',' noted the specialist.

The presence of missiles in Russia that violate the terms of the treaty was the reason for the US withdrawal from the agreement in 2019. At that time, it was about the missile 9M729, which is capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 2500 kilometers.

The expert emphasized that even at the development stage of the 'Iskander' complexes, Russian engineers anticipated the possibility of flying a distance of over 500 km. Since international treaties are no longer in effect, Russia simply 'legalized' these characteristics, calling them 'modernization.'

Moreover, Russia intensified the strike drones 'Shahed', equipping them with double warheads, significantly increasing their destructive potential.

Thus, Russia uses old technologies to create the illusion of new capabilities, which increases tensions in relations with Western countries. Western experts note that these actions could pose a new challenge to security in the region and could prompt an increase in efforts to deter aggression.