Why Russia Has Stopped Launching Kinzhal Missiles: Expert Reveals Key Reason.

Technical Condition of Kinzhal Missile Carriers

According to TSN.ua: Russia has halted the use of Kinzhal missiles against Ukraine due to the poor state of their launch platforms—the MiG-31K aircraft. According to military expert Oleh Zhdanov, this points to significant wear and tear on the jets and suggests Moscow is trying to stabilize its strike schedule. The absence of Kinzhal attacks indicates that the carriers may have exhausted their operational lifespan, as the MiG-31K’s engine cannot be repaired and must be fully replaced.

Why the Attack Tactics Are Changing

Why have Russian forces stopped launching Kinzhal missiles at Ukraine? Experts believe the invaders are shifting resources toward ground-based ballistic systems in an effort to compensate for the lack of aerial strikes. Oleh Zhdanov emphasized that

“the era of the Kinzhal is fading—the carriers are simply running out of service life.” - Oleh Zhdanov

“Whether they can keep up this tempo or not is a big question.” - Oleh Zhdanov

At the same time, Russian forces are attempting to stabilize their bombardment schedule, maintaining intervals of 10 to 14 days between strikes—a sign they may be adapting to new wartime conditions. Returning to a “winter-style” tactic could be a direct response to shifts in technical readiness and resource availability within the Russian military.

Abandoning the Kinzhal missile system likely reflects deeper issues in Russia’s military infrastructure and a need to reallocate resources. This change could reshape the Kremlin’s overall war strategy, pushing it toward greater reliance on ground-based weaponry—and potentially altering the dynamics of combat on the front lines. The effort to standardize strike intervals suggests Russian forces are trying to adjust to new realities, which may lead to a reduction in attack intensity in the near future.