Specialists of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine have conducted a detailed study of Russian "Kalibr" 3M14 cruise missiles shot down by air defense forces. The analysis revealed two significant changes in the missile's design: the Russians have begun installing cluster warheads and have returned to using imported electronics after an attempt to switch to their own components, UNN reports, citing the Ministry of Defense.
According to the agency, military engineers and scientists completely disassembled the missiles, examined all components, and compiled a structural and functional diagram of the product.
Cluster warheads recorded in missiles for the first time
The Ministry of Defense reported that in "Kalibr" missiles shot down in the spring of 2026, a cluster warhead was detected for the first time, similar to the one used in Kh-101 missiles.
In 2026, specialists from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine recorded a fundamental change: in missiles shot down in the spring of this year, a cluster warhead was installed for the first time—analogous to the one used on the Kh-101
It is noted that such modernization allows for an increase in the impact area and enhances the missile's effectiveness against dispersed targets, including aircraft, hangars, and open positions.
Russia abandoned its own electronics
Another conclusion of the study was that after attempts to transition to a Russian electronic component base, the manufacturer returned to imported components once again.
The Ministry of Defense emphasized that the seeker head circuit boards consist of more than 80–90% foreign-made parts.
In 2023–2024, Russia gradually transitioned to a domestic electronic component base. However, the onboard digital computer from a downed missile assembled in 2025 again contains imported components
According to specialists' assessments, the transition to Russian electronics could have negatively affected the missiles' guidance accuracy, which is why the manufacturer returned to the previous scheme.
Part of the navigation system is of Ukrainian origin
The study also established that one of the missile's key navigation systems—the SN-99—was developed in Ukraine in the city of Smila back in the 2000s.
According to available documentation, it was developed in the 2000s in Ukraine, in the city of Smila. Currently, mass production is carried out in Russia, but the design base is of Ukrainian origin
"Kalibr" remains vulnerable to air defense
The agency emphasized that the main weakness of the missile remains its subsonic speed.
"Kalibr" is a subsonic missile, and this is its main structural vulnerability
Despite flying at ultra-low altitudes—up to 20 meters over water and about 150 meters over land—the missile's speed allows it to be destroyed by standard air defense systems.
Based on the results of the study, the Ministry of Defense also identified the electronics manufacturers, designers, and managers involved in the creation of "Kalibr" missiles. This data has been transferred for further use in sanctions policy against Russia.