Ukraine's secret Hrim-2 missile hits Russian target 700 km away

According to Igor Sushko on November 3, 2023, Ukraine deployed an improved variant of its Hrim-2 short-range ballistic missile system, successfully striking a Russian target at a range of 700 km. This surprising revelation came from Brigadier General Serhiy Baranov, head of the Main Directorate of Missile Forces and Artillery and Unmanned Systems of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, during an interview with Armiya FM.
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The 10x10 Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) vehicle of the Hrim-2 ballistic missile system carries two missiles in individual containers. (Picture source: Wikimedia)

Until recently, the Hrim-2 system was officially still in the development stage. However, Brigadier General Baranov announced that not only is it now operational, but it is also undergoing further improvements. He confidently claimed that the Hrim-2's enhanced capabilities would soon be put to the test against Russian troops, contradicting prior assertions by the Russian Armed Forces, which had claimed to have destroyed Hrim-2 missile systems and their production facilities.

The Hrim-2 missile system's deployment has triggered discussions in the Ukrainian information space. It has previously been linked to attacks on Russian military targets, such as the military airfield in Saki on August 9, 2022, and Feodosia on April 8, 2023. In a noteworthy incident, the Ministry of Defense of Russia officially stated that they had intercepted a missile fired by the Hrim-2 on March 30, 2023, adding to the intrigue surrounding this system.

The Hrim-2, also known as Grim-2, Grom-2, Thunder, or OTRK Sapsan, is a short-range ballistic missile system that was initiated for development in 2013 with the intent of replacing the Tochka-U short-range ballistic missiles currently in Ukrainian service, which have a range of 120 km and are the primary ballistic missiles used by the Ukrainian Army.

One of the Hrim-2's notable features is its ability to navigate not only on a predicted ballistic trajectory but also on an aeroballistic one, allowing it to change its flight path unpredictably. This capability is reported to enable the system to bypass existing air defense systems, including the Russian S-300 and S-400, positioning it as a counterpart to the Russian Iskander missiles.

In its export version, the Hrim-2 missile system is designed to target individual and group stationary targets within distances ranging from 50 to 280 km. However, for the needs of the Ukrainian armed forces, the system's range has now been extended to 700 km, significantly enhancing its previous known range of 450 to 500 km.

The Hrim-2's versatility is a key aspect, as it can launch both ballistic and cruise missiles, making it suitable for various applications, from air defense to coast guard duties. Its single-stage ballistic missile carries a warhead with a mass of 480 kilograms, and it offers options for both unitary and cluster configurations. The system's onboard control system is inertial and integrates various navigation and guidance systems, including radar-based and optoelectronic components.