Since the late summer of 2026, Russia has been using the Filin cruise missile to attack Ukraine. It is relatively small and potentially inexpensive, but has impressive declared characteristics.
There is no complete information about it yet - a photo of a damaged part of the missile, presumably shot down, appeared on the Internet, as well as general information about its structure, electronic components and engine, published on October 22 by the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
Military experts agree that Filin missiles can significantly increase the load on Ukrainian air defense if Russia manages to organize their mass production.
What is known about the new development of the Russian military-industrial complex and what danger does it pose for Ukraine?
General characteristics
According to the State Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine, the Filin was developed at the Moscow NPO Molniya, part of the Tactical Missiles Corporation.
It is a small cruise missile with a turbojet engine, launched from a ground installation using a booster booster.
With a maximum speed of up to 800 km/h, it has an estimated range of 1200 km, its altitude range is from ultra-low altitudes (below 200 meters) to 6 km.
These are stated maximum parameters and not the results of independent tests of flight modes.
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According to Ukrainian intelligence, there are two variants of the Filin warhead - weighing 50 kg and 100 kg.
Unlike the loitering ammunition of the Geranium family, which is gradually evolving from piston-powered low-speed drones to high-speed strike weapons with a turbojet engine, the Filin was originally created as a cruise missile.
“I have long predicted that our enemy is betting on the future not on Shahed jets, but on cheap cruise missiles,” writes Advisor to the President of Ukraine Sergei Beskrestnov “Flash”. “They are faster, more maneuverable, can fly at low altitudes and carry a larger warhead than the Shahed.” They don't need droneports, many of them can be launched from helicopters and UAVs. And most importantly, they can be produced from Russian components.”
The production of at least the main components of the Filin rocket in Russia is localized: it runs on a small-sized gas turbine engine R-500, which is produced by the Russian company Reynolds. The same engine is installed on the S-71K "Carpet" air-to-surface missile and the S-71M "Monochrome" aircraft loitering munition, developed by the Sukhoi Design Bureau and recently adopted by the Russian army.
Earlier Russian designs, such as the Geranium and Banderol jets, use Chinese engines that are classified and sold as civilian products.
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Why is "Filin" dangerous?
How can you fight "Owl"?
It is difficult for interceptor drones to keep up with it, but it is no faster than most modern air defense systems: anti-aircraft missile systems and fighter aircraft are capable of working against any cruise missiles. True, guaranteed interception requires multi-level and echeloned defense of the sky.
Aircraft can shoot down cruise missiles at a distance from protected objects. But even a successful interception can be expensive if scarce munitions, such as AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, are wasted on every relatively cheap target. And in the case of cruise missiles capable of flying at ultra-low altitudes, the use of simpler means, such as aircraft cannons, is difficult and dangerous.
One way out is to use American APKWS laser guidance systems, which turn standard unguided missiles into precision-guided munitions.
Ground-based anti-aircraft missile systems of the Ukrainian Armed Forces are also capable of hitting Filin cruise missiles, but here, too, the cost of ammunition and limited supplies are of great importance.
The development and production of cheap and mass-produced short-range weapons is becoming one of the main directions in the development of modern air defense systems. These include light anti-missile missiles and rapid-firing anti-aircraft guns with controlled detonation - for example, Skynex and Skyranger produced by the German defense concern Rheinmetall. They are effective and economical, including at the last line of defense, but require timely target detection and suitable shooting conditions.
To counter low-flying missile attacks, radar collaboration, external air threat warning, and rapid transfer of information between units are essential. The earlier a target is detected, the greater the opportunity for interception.
Photo copyrightSergiy FLASH
How serious is the new threat?
The presence of prototypes and the declared characteristics of the Filin does not mean that Russia is capable of regularly launching large numbers of such missiles.
The State Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine found foreign-made parts in the electronic filling of the Owl, including 35 American and 22 Chinese components. This indicates the continued dependence of the Russian defense industry on foreign electronics, although it does not mean that the supply of these parts can easily be stopped.
The main uncertainty is the real cost of "Filin", production volumes and frequency of use. For Ukraine, it is dangerous primarily as a potentially massive long-range cruise missile.
If it turns out to be cheap enough and produced in large quantities, the Russian army could combine it with conventional cruise and ballistic missiles, as well as drones. This will force Ukraine to distribute limited air defense resources among a large number of threat types.
If production remains limited, the Filin will pose an additional threat, but will not necessarily change the overall picture of the air war.
* The Russian authorities included Ilya Abishev in the register of “foreign agents”. The BBC strongly objects to this decision and is challenging it in court
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