During air raids across Ukraine, satellite navigation is jammed, making it impossible for Iskander ballistic missiles to hit targets with meter-level precision using standard inertial guidance systems. Nevertheless, Russian military forces continue to launch precision strikes against selected infrastructure facilities. Sergei "Flash" Beskrestnov, an adviser on the development of defense technology areas, explained in his Telegram channel—cited by RBC-Ukraine—that to ensure high accuracy, Iskander missiles use additional guidance systems that allow trajectory correction in the final phase of flight.
Optical and Radar Seekers: How the Missile "Sees" the Target
According to Beskrestnov, the Russian forces striking Ukrainian territory use 9E436 and 9B918 optical guidance heads, as well as more expensive radar-guided variants, specifically the 9B918. The radar system operates as follows: during the warhead descent phase, the missile scans the terrain using radar equipment for several seconds. The acquired data is transmitted to the guidance system, which generates a correction and adjusts the flight trajectory immediately before impact. It is this mechanism that enables the Iskander to hit specific objects—bridges and communication hubs—even in the complete absence of a satellite signal.
Wave of Strikes on Kyiv's Bridges: Chronology of Recent Attacks
In recent weeks, the Russian military has intensified attacks on bridge structures, primarily in Kyiv. The South Bridge, connecting the right and left banks of the Dnipro River, has repeatedly been targeted by unmanned aerial vehicles and subsequently by ballistic missiles. One of the most high-profile attacks occurred on October 27: according to RBC-Ukraine, several ballistic missiles hit the crossing. On the night of November 7, the North Bridge came under fire. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that several ballistic missiles struck the crossing, resulting in damage to the road surface, the trolleybus overhead contact network, and power transmission lines. Strikes on bridges have a direct impact on transport communication between the banks of the Dnipro and the operation of urban infrastructure.
Searching for Alternatives: New Crossings Across the Dnipro
The consequences of the series of attacks forced Kyiv authorities to seek not only ways to swiftly repair damaged facilities but also alternative routes for crossing the Dnipro. Ukraine's Minister of Restoration, Infrastructure, and Transport Mykola Kalashnik announced on October 30 that construction of additional crossings has already begun. According to him, the first new bridges are scheduled to be put into operation in early 2027. Thus, even with the ongoing threat of repeated precision strikes against existing crossings, the city gains the ability to diversify transport flows and reduce the vulnerability of critical infrastructure.
Context: Why Guidance Accuracy Has Become a Key Factor
The use of additional guidance systems on Iskander ballistic missiles indicates that the Russian military is purposefully adapting strike tactics to electronic warfare conditions. While standard inertial navigation under GPS jamming conditions ensures only a rough hit in the target area, optical and radar seekers reduce the error to minimal values. For objects with clearly defined coordinates and characteristic radar or optical "signatures"—such as bridges, overpasses, and energy infrastructure nodes—this makes them virtually vulnerable even under complete shielding of the satellite signal. Beskrestnov's expert explanation emphasizes that combating the threat of precision strikes requires not only the development of air defense and electronic warfare systems, but also infrastructure diversification to minimize consequences even in the event of a successful missile hit.
