Russia’s new ‘game-changer’ missiles in Ukraine war | The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload ourSocial PartnerWe are 8 logo (opens in a new tab)AllNewsSportCultureLifestyleTaz AliThursday 02 October 2025 18:37 BSTZelensky warns Europe of drone attacks after 'treacherous' Ukraine strikesRussia has reportedly upgraded its ballistic missiles, including Iskander-M and Kinzhal, to bypass US-made Patriot air defence systems in Ukraine.These missile upgrades, which allow for trajectory changes, have caused Ukraine's missile interception rate to drop significantly from 37 per cent in August to just 6 per cent in September.Upgraded Russian missiles, described by one former Ukrainian official as a “game-changer for Russia, have successfully targeted drone manufacturing sites near Kyiv, such as a Turkish Bayraktar facility, evading existing air defences.A US Defence Intelligence Agency report confirms that Ukrainian forces are struggling to consistently use Patriot systems against these improved Russian ballistic missiles.Separately, the US is reportedly considering providing Ukraine with intelligence and potentially Tomahawk cruise missiles for long-range strikes against Russian energy infrastructure.In fullRussia ‘using deadly new missile upgrade’ to bypass Ukraine’s Patriot air defence systemsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in