Slaidiņš warns Russia may deploy converted target missiles en masse
Latvian National Armed Forces Major Jānis Slaidiņš says Russia could soon start widely using converted Soviet-era "Dan-M" target missiles in combat, adding pressure to Ukraine's air defenses. Russia reportedly holds large stockpiles of the devices, allowing relatively quick conversion for offensive use.
Jānis Slaidiņš, a major in Latvia's National Armed Forces and an officer at the National Guard staff, said on TV24's program "Aktuālais par karadarbību Ukrainā" that Russia is looking for new ways to increase the effectiveness of its strikes while further straining Ukraine's air defense systems. According to the Ukrainian side's assessment, Russia may soon begin more extensively using devices that were not originally designed as offensive weapons.
A target drone that could turn dangerous
Slaidiņš was referring to the "Dan-M" system, a converted version of a target missile Russia developed back in the 1990s as training equipment for air defense units. Its original purpose was simply to simulate an aircraft or cruise missile for training exercises. However, Slaidiņš noted that in a prolonged conflict, even training equipment of this kind can become lethal.
According to the major, Russia holds a considerable stockpile of these missiles in storage, meaning their conversion for military use could happen relatively quickly.
Technical parameters
Slaidiņš also described the system's likely technical characteristics: the missile weighs approximately 350 kilograms and can reach speeds of up to 750 kilometers per hour. It can fly at altitudes between 50 and 9,000 meters and stay airborne for up to an hour. Guidance is based either on a pre-set trajectory or a radio signal.
Slaidiņš stressed that mass deployment of such missiles could pose a serious test for Ukraine's air defense, since alongside the usual drone attacks, another new type of target requiring interception would emerge. He emphasized the need to keep developing additional countermeasures, including jet-powered drone interceptors.
