---
title: "Kalibr 2025: Ukrainian experts disassembled the missile down to the last screw and found a surprise"
description: "Ukrainian military experts disassembled shot-down Kalibr missiles and found a surprise: in 2025, Russia returned to using foreign chips, and in 2026, they deployed cluster warheads with 3,600 war elements. 🚀💥"
date: 2026-06-09T09:32:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/kalibr-2025-ukrainian-experts-disassembled-missile-and-found-foreign-chips
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Kalibr 2025: Ukrainian experts disassembled the missile down to the last screw and found a surprise

![Launch of the Kalibr missile from a Russian ship: Ukrainian experts analyze the design details](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/09/ukrainskie-eksperty-razobili-raketu-kalibr-i-nashli-inostrannye-chipy/ukrainskie-eksperty-razobili-raketu-kalibr-i-nashli-inostrannye-chipy-1.webp)

Ukrainian military engineers conducted a large-scale investigation, disassembling shot-down Russian Kalibr (3M14) missiles down to the last component. A detailed analysis carried out by specialists from the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine revealed unexpected changes in the design of the weapon, which continues to pose a threat to the country. As it turns out, the Russian defense industry has encountered serious technological contradictions.

### Return to foreign components

One of the main discoveries was that missiles produced in 2025 again contained a significant number of foreign-made parts. Previously, Moscow attempted to fully switch to its own electronic components; however, according to Ukrainian specialists, domestic analogues were inferior in quality and accuracy. This forced designers to return to using foreign elements, which now make up more than 80-90% of the electronics in the guidance head.

Experts managed not only to identify parts by their markings but also to determine the specific manufacturers, designers, and managers involved in creating these systems. This data will be submitted for further sanctions work.

### New tactics: cluster warhead

In the spring of 2026, a fundamentally new warhead was recorded for the first time in shot-down missiles. While Kalibr missiles were previously equipped with standard high-explosive fragmentation charges, the new design features a cluster construction inside the casing.

The warhead contains approximately 3,600 war elements. Upon detonation, they scatter over a large area, allowing for the engagement of dispersed targets. Experts believe that Russian designers have adapted the missile for attacks on airfields and open positions where striking a large territory is required.

### "Vintage" in modern warfare

Analysis of the components revealed a surprising fact: although Kalibr production began in the early 2000s, specialists found markings on parts developed as far back as the 1980s in certain units. This indicates that Russia continues to use old technological developments in modern systems.

Special attention was paid to the SN-99 navigation system. It was developed in the 2000s in the Ukrainian city of Smela, after which production was established in Russia. The flight route is pre-programmed and takes into account the terrain, allowing the missile to fly at extremely low altitudes.

### The main vulnerability

Despite the warhead modernization, the Kalibr remains a subsonic cruise missile. This is considered its main weakness. The attempt to stay as low as possible above the surface does not save the missile from interception, as the subsonic speed gives Ukrainian air defense forces enough time to successfully destroy the target.