Archive · 18 Sep 2026
Russia Uses Repurposed Training Missiles in Intensifying Ukraine Air Campaign
Russia has been using a missile called the RM48U in many attacks against Ukraine.
The missile was originally made as practice for air-defense crews.
It flies very fast but is less accurate than Russia’s main Iskander missile.
Ukrainian investigators say one RM48U hit a railway area near Kyiv and helped cause the deaths of eight people.
Russia said it was targeting a logistics center, not civilians.
Experts say Russia may be using RM48Us to save its more powerful missiles for later.
These attacks also force Ukraine to use valuable air-defense interceptors.
Ukraine says it needs more Patriot missiles to protect its cities.
The attacks have contributed to a sharp rise in civilian deaths and damage during the summer.
RM48U missiles accounted for 87 of Russia’s 158 ballistic and hypersonic strikes in July.
Ukraine says the less accurate missiles have been used in attacks causing high civilian casualties.
A railway strike near Kyiv on August 5 killed eight people, according to local officials.
Analysts say Russia is conserving Iskanders and other advanced missiles while testing Ukraine’s depleted defenses.
Ukraine is seeking additional Patriot interceptors as Russia prepares for a potentially difficult winter air campaign.
- Who
- Russia conducted the missile strikes, while Ukrainian investigators, officials and analysts assessed the weapons and their effects.
- What
- Russia used large numbers of repurposed RM48U training missiles in its ballistic and hypersonic missile campaign against Ukraine.
- When
- The reported surge occurred in July and the first eight days of August; a railway strike discussed in the report occurred on August 5.
- Where
- The attacks occurred across Ukraine, including the Brovary district near Kyiv.
- Why
- Analysts said Russia can use RM48Us to overwhelm Ukraine’s defenses, attack lower-value targets and preserve more capable missiles.
Ukrainian Findings and Allied Concerns
Russian Position
Purpose and effects of the strikes
Ukrainian Findings and Allied Concerns
Ukrainian investigators and analysts say RM48Us are less accurate, have been linked to high civilian casualties and may be used against lower-value targets while draining Ukraine’s interceptors.
Russian Position
Russia denies intentionally harming civilians and says it targets military infrastructure.
The Brovary railway attack
Ukrainian Findings and Allied Concerns
Ukrainian investigators concluded that an RM48U caused the railway strike after examining the crater, fragments and damage; Reuters could not independently verify the findings.
Russian Position
Russia’s Defense Ministry said it struck a logistics center in Brovary used to store drone components.
Air-defense needs
Ukrainian Findings and Allied Concerns
Ukraine says it urgently needs additional Patriot interceptors because its existing stocks are nearly exhausted and ballistic interceptors could have saved lives.
Russian Position
A senior U.S. administration official said Washington has enough munitions for its strategic goals but must prioritize protecting critical systems and expanding production.
- RM48U strikes in July
- 87 of 158 Russian ballistic and hypersonic strikes recorded by Ukrainian data.
- RM48U strikes in early August
- 36 of 70 ballistic and hypersonic strikes during the first eight days of August.
- Railway attack
- Eight people were killed near a railway platform in the Brovary district on August 5.
- RM48U accuracy
- Ukrainian military experts said the missiles deviate from intended targets by about 300 meters on average.
- Russian missile stocks
- The Institute for the Study of War estimated Russia had about 100 Iskanders and 400 RM48Us.
- RM48U production
- Ukraine’s military intelligence agency said production is planned to rise to 480 missiles this year from 200 last year.
- Civilian deaths
- The United Nations recorded at least 437 civilian deaths in Ukraine in July, the highest monthly toll since the early invasion period.