Fragments of P-35 missiles. Photo: Defense Express
According to Defense Express, this missile can be launched from the Redut coastal defense system or from the Object-100 anti-ship missile coastal defense division.
Russia used P-35 (3M44 Progress) missiles to attack Ukraine. Its wreckage has been found and photos have appeared online. This is the first known instance of the use of this old weapon.
The wreckage of the P-35, distinguished by its considerable size, is visible in photos with a blurred background by Defense Express. “We are talking about a missile with a length of 10 meters and a launch weight of 4 tons, developed in the 1950s and put into service in 1962,” Defense Express wrote.
Defense Express also noted that the P-35 missile was apparently shot down, and considering that it was an anti-ship missile, it is more likely that the Russians targeted facilities in the southern provinces with the attack. this work.
Reportedly, Defense Express has confirmed from its own sources that it is indeed this missile in question.
Although old, the P-35 is still in service in Russia. In particular, it is a component weapon of the Redut coastal defense system. As of 2021, their number is estimated at 8 launchers.
In addition, the P-35 missile was used in the Utyos heavy machine gun, also known as the Object-100. This underground facility is located near Balaklava. The rockets themselves are hidden underground in launch pads and are only raised before launch.
Overall, there are only two such systems in Russia – one in Crimea and one on the island of Kildin in the Barents Sea (available information suggests that the latter has been abandoned).
Defense Express did not specify which specific launcher Russian forces used for this attack.
“Even in the most recent upgrade (3M44), which entered service in 1982, the P-35 was considered ancient at that time. Its range was up to 300 km (some sources say that it is up to 460 km).km in version 3M44), speed up to 1,800 km/h (according to other sources 2,200 km/h) and warhead size up to 930 kg (FCW (cumulative warhead) fragmentation) 4G48)”, Defense Express said.
“The guidance system of this anti-ship missile was standard at the time – inertia during the cruise phase and active radar seeker activation during the final phase. The flight profile determined the range to be 400 mm , 4 km, or 7 km, but before hitting the target, the missile must descend to an altitude of 100 m,” the article added.
Defense Express also adds that the system can also target ground targets, more specifically coastal targets. However, these targets must have radioactive contrast due to the guidance system.
Therefore, Russia’s launch of the P-35 missile has some similarities with the use of the Kh-22 missile, which it uses for terrorist attacks on cities, Defense Express summarizes.