Russia has reportedly ordered a batch of 56 Kalibr missiles armed with nuclear warheads, according to leaked Kremlin documents. Kalibr cruise missiles are just one of several lethal weapons used by Russia’s military to bombard and terrorise Ukraine.
The rockets are deployed across multiple Russian Navy platforms and are capable of carrying both conventional and nuclear payloads weighing up to 500 kilograms. Procurement papers obtained by the Ukrainian defence magazine Militarnyi show the Kremlin placed a contract with the Russian Research and Design Bureau Novator for 56 3M-14S Kalibr missiles with “a special warhead” (i.e. nuclear). The order specifies that the missiles will be delivered over a two year timeframe that runs from 2024 until 2026.
The missile features an inertial satellite guidance system and can fly at low altitudes, making it harder for air-defence systems to detect.
Novator is a major supplier of Kalibrs to the Russian army and was added to the European Union’s sanction list in 2022, after Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion.
There are several versions of the missile, which can be fired from frigates, corvettes and submarines.
Another deadly Russian rocket is the Kh-101 cruise missile, also known as “Izdeliye 504AP”. It has a range of over 2,500 kilometres and is equipped with a more sophisticated flight control system that navigates terrain using satellite signals.
The missile has been repeatedly used to strike targets deep inside Ukraine and is normally fired from Tu-95SM and Tu-160 strategic bombers.
The leaked documents show that Russia’s Ministry of Defence placed an order with the Raduga Design Bureau for 700 of the missiles in 2025 and for another 30 in 2026.
Russia’s army also possess a stockpile of ballistic missiles, the most prominent and frequently used of which is the 9M723 Iskander-M missile. It is more expensive and difficult to manufacture, and has a much shorter range than cruise missiles.
However, the Iskander is able to evade most conventional air defence systems, making it a particularly lethal weapon of choice.
It can deliver a half-tonne warhead over a distance of 500 kilometres. An order was placed with the Kolomna Machine Building Design Bureau for 1202 of the ballistic missiles for 2024-2025.
