Following the Russian attack on Kyiv, fragments of a ballistic missile marked 9M723-2F3 — a modernised version of the «Iskander» family — were discovered. During the strike on the night of 29 September, Ukrainian air defence forces shot down two ballistic missiles, and the fragments found made it possible to identify the specific variant of one of the missiles. The Main Intelligence Directorate had previously confirmed that Russia had used upgraded 9M723-2 missiles against the capital.
The serial number 9M723-2F3 was seen on the wreckage
After a massive attack on Kyiv Fragments of two ballistic missiles have been found in the capital. Markings are visible on one of the fragments 9M723-2F3. That morning, the Air Force reported that Russia had launched two «Iskander-M»/S-400 ballistic missiles from the Kursk region. Both targets were destroyed by air defence systems.
Two unexploded warheads from ballistic missiles, each weighing around half a tonne, were also later discovered in the Solomyanskyi district of Kyiv. They had fallen near residential buildings and were defused by bomb disposal experts.
The Main Intelligence Directorate has already reported on the new «Iskander»
The Main Intelligence Directorate had previously confirmed that, during one of the summer’s combined strikes on Kyiv, Russia had used the upgraded missiles for the first time 9M723-2. According to Ukrainian intelligence, they form part of the «Bora-M» system. The maximum stated range of this variant is up to 550 km, whilst for the 9M723-1, the General Staff cites a range of 390 km.
The missile belongs to the quasi-ballistic class. Its trajectory and manoeuvrability make it difficult to predict its flight path and, consequently, to intercept it. The index itself 9M723-2F3 This had been discussed in open sources previously; however, the discovery of marked fragments following combat use provides further confirmation of the existence of this variant.
Is this really a «bunker-busting» missile?
The 9M723 family includes various types of warheads — cluster, high-explosive fragmentation, high-explosive and permeable, designed to engage better-protected targets. The Main Intelligence Directorate states that the warhead weighs approximately 450 kg. It was precisely the presence of penetrating warheads that led to reports of the possibility of using missiles against fortified or underground targets.
However, to name specifically It is still too early to say for certain whether the 9M723-2F3 is a «bunker-busting» missile. There is no publicly available official technical documentation confirming that this variant is always fitted with a high-explosive penetrator warhead.
The missile can create decoys for air defence systems
Another distinctive feature of the Iskander-M family is its capabilities for overcoming anti-missile defences. The Main Intelligence Directorate has released information on false targets 9B899, which are fitted to the 9M723 ballistic missile. Their purpose is to make it more difficult for radar systems to identify the actual missile.
Ukrainian monitoring sources claim that when missiles enter the radar’s operational range, such decoys can create several additional blips on the screen. A common assessment is that 6–7 false positives stems specifically from monitoring sources and has not been independently confirmed by the Air Force. This figure should therefore be regarded as a preliminary technical assessment rather than an established specification of the missile.
Why is the new variant dangerous?
The main problem for Ukrainian air defence does not lie in any single characteristic. The combination of high speed, a quasi-ballistic trajectory, manoeuvrability and the ability to create decoys reduces the response time and makes interception more difficult.
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate, the speed of missiles in the 9M723 family may exceed, in certain sections of their flight, 2.5 km/s, а approach time The journey to Kyiv from the north-east takes just a few minutes.
