Ukraine Says Russia Used Upgraded Longer-range Iskander Missile in Kyiv Attack in South Korea

Ukraine's defense intelligence agency, the GUR, identified the weapon as the 9M723-2, or Iskander-1000, on Thursday. The missile is an upgraded variant of the 9M723-1, featuring a larger engine and launcher that extend its range. Ukraine assessed the modifications increase its maximum range to about 340 miles, roughly 100 miles farther than its predecessor, while most other components remain the same.

The first combat use of the Iskander-1000 highlights Russia's ongoing investments in expanding and improving its ballistic missile arsenal, which Ukrainian officials say is becoming an increasingly prominent part of Moscow's strike campaign. The additional range allows Russian Iskander launchers to operate from farther back while still threatening Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. Ukraine has tracked evolutions in Russian ballistic missile technology, including changes in maneuverability that make the weapons more difficult to intercept. These developments have at times challenged Ukrainian air defenses, such as the US-made MIM-104 Patriot surface-to-air missile system.