Russia uses upgraded Iskander-1000 missile against Kyiv for first time

Russia has expanded the range of its Iskander missile system, launching a new ballistic missile variant at Kyiv for the first time, according to Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR). The modernized 9M723-2 ballistic missiles—known as the "Iskander-1000"—were used in a combined missile strike on the Ukrainian capital this summer.

The updated missile is part of the Bora-M complex and features a more powerful engine, giving it a striking range of up to 550 kilometers (about 342 miles), significantly farther than the previous 9M723-1 model, which could reach about 390 kilometers (about 242 miles). While the upgraded missile boasts a more powerful engine and a larger launch module, other components remain the same as those in the 9M723-1 version.

GUR also released new information about the production of 9M723 Iskander-M missiles. The War&Sanctions portal compiles details on the missile’s components, as well as the companies, officials, and technological equipment involved in its production.

According to intelligence findings, the 9M723 missile continues to rely heavily on foreign-made parts. Of the 140 components that GUR disclosed, only about a quarter are made by Russian enterprises, while 63 are produced by US companies, eight by Swiss firms, eight by manufacturers in Belarus, four in Germany, four in Taiwan and three in China.

GUR highlighted that, in the flight data processing unit—an essential part of the missile’s guidance system—only five out of 43 components are Russian-made. Among the most critical foreign parts identified by Ukrainian intelligence are microprocessors, FPGAs, memory chips, and analog-to-digital as well as digital-to-analog converters from American and Taiwanese manufacturers. GUR stressed that these new findings should be used to strengthen sanctions targeting Russia’s ballistic weapons programs—spanning development, production, and modernizing efforts.

On the night of August 27, Russia attacked Ukraine with 258 drones and ballistic missiles. The Ukrainian Air Force reported destroying seven Iskanders, one Oniks missile, 222 attack drones, and three S8000 Banderoľ glide munitions.

On August 25, Ukraine received a new batch of missiles for its Patriot defense systems intended to protect against Russian strikes, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced. Zelenskyy did not specify the number of missiles delivered or which country provided them. The aid package also included AIM missiles for taking down Russian cruise missiles, and the president noted that only "a limited number" of Patriot missiles were supplied.