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Russia's 'Satellite Killer' Nudol System Detailed in Leaked Documents
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Technology

Russia's 'Satellite Killer' Nudol System Detailed in Leaked Documents

From Veฤernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Russia has developed a mobile anti-satellite missile system called Nudol, according to an investigation based on leaked defense documents.
  • The Nudol system, linked to the A-235 missile defense program, successfully destroyed a satellite near the ISS in 2021, creating space debris.
  • The system relies on components from various Russian companies and foreign materials, with ongoing development of new missile variants.

An investigation by UNITED24 Media, utilizing leaked Russian defense documents provided by Ukraine's Cyber Forces, has revealed new details about Russia's Nudol anti-satellite missile system. The documents shed light on an previously undisclosed missile project, key suppliers, and the system's continued reliance on foreign materials.

Documents, as they claim, reveal new details about the Russian anti-satellite missile system Nudol, including a previously undisclosed missile project, key suppliers, and continued reliance on foreign materials.

โ€” UNITED24 MediaReporting on the leaked documents concerning the Nudol system.

The Nudol system is described as a mobile, wheeled platform, distinct from the fixed, multi-layered A-235 defense system it is often associated with. Its development traces back to Soviet-era upgrades of the A-135 missile defense system for Moscow. The system's core components include the 14Ts033 complex and the 14A042 missile, launched from a vehicle based on a Belarusian MZKT chassis.

This was the first successful test of Russia's Nudol.

โ€” UNITED24 MediaDescribing the 2021 satellite destruction event.

According to the documents, the 14A042 missile has undergone significant development, with 15 prototypes produced by September 2023 and plans for 12 more by November 2026. The Novator Design Bureau, a subsidiary of Almaz-Antey, leads the primary development and production. Notably, Novator is also developing a second missile, the 102A6, for the 103T6 system, codenamed "Svyatogor." Internally, Nudol is classified as a mobile anti-satellite strike system, while Svyatogor is described as a multi-purpose missile or missile defense system.

Nudol is an anti-missile and anti-satellite system developed by the Russian defense conglomerate Almaz-Antey.

โ€” UNITED24 MediaExplaining the nature of the Nudol system.

The successful test of the Nudol system in November 2021, which destroyed the Kosmos-1408 satellite near the International Space Station (ISS), created over 1,500 pieces of space debris, posing a long-term hazard to the station and other spacecraft. This event prompted astronauts on the ISS to take emergency measures. Russian media have openly threatened the use of this system against SpaceX's Starlink satellites.

Russian media openly threaten its use against SpaceX's Starlink satellites.

โ€” UNITED24 MediaHighlighting the potential targets and threats associated with the Nudol system.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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