During the attacks on Ukraine, Kh-101 cruise missiles of an unidentified modification were used.

During strikes on the territory of Ukraine on January 26, Kh-101 strategic cruise missiles of a previously unknown modification were used. They are distinguished from standard cruise missiles by the presence of a special unit for shooting false thermal targets. This is evidenced by the discovered fragments of one of the rockets that fell on the territory of the Vinnitsa region on January 26.

In the photographs, you can see that the rocket is equipped with a special sensor and a device for shooting false thermal targets. Previously, such missiles have never been featured anywhere before. This does not exclude the possibility that we are talking about a new modification of the missile or improved versions of the already existing Kh-101 cruise missiles.

The equipping of Kh-101 strategic cruise missiles with decoy targets may be due to the fact that the Armed Forces of Ukraine often use portable anti-aircraft missile systems and air defense systems with missiles equipped with infrared homing heads, and the shooting of thermal targets can allow the missile to break through enemy air defense systems , or deprive him of the ability to intercept subsequent waves of missiles.