Russia has begun using a new cruise missile, the "Filin", which, according to its stated characteristics, can hit targets at a distance of up to 1,200 km. Ukrainian intelligence has discovered dozens of components of American and Chinese origin in its electronic equipment.
On October 22, the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported this, publishing on the War&Sanctions portal an interactive 3D model of the missile, its technical characteristics, and information about the manufacturers of its main systems.
According to the DIU, Russian forces began using the "Filin" in late summer 2026. The missile was developed by the "Molniya" research and production association, which is part of the "Tactical Missile Weapons" corporation.
The new development is part of the efforts of the Russian military-industrial complex to create relatively inexpensive long-range strike weapons with jet engines. Unlike air-launched missiles, the "Filin" is launched from a ground installation.
The missile's length is 3.5 meters, its wingspan is 3 meters, and its maximum takeoff weight is 210 kg. Its body is made of carbon and glass fiber reinforced plastic, with some parts produced via 3D printing.
Russian developers claim a maximum speed of up to 800 km/h and a flight range of 600 to 1,200 km. The missile can carry a warhead weighing 50 or 100 kg. Possible warhead types include high-explosive fragmentation, penetrating, and thermobaric.
The stated flight characteristics of the adversary should not be considered as independently confirmed results of combat use.
Ukrainian intelligence has paid particular attention to the origin of the electronics. In the onboard equipment of the "Filin", 35 components of American and 22 of Chinese origin have been identified. On the War&Sanctions portal, information about a total of 81 missile components has been published.
According to the DIU, the share of Chinese parts in the new development is greater than in a number of previously studied Russian missiles and drones. At the same time, the detection of components from foreign companies does not in itself indicate that they were directly supplied to Russian military manufacturers.
The onboard equipment of the "Filin" is manufactured by the Russian company "PLAZ". This enterprise is also involved in the production of "Harpy" strike drones, which are a modification of the "Geran-2" family. According to intelligence findings, the equipment of the missile and the drone has similar design solutions and markings.
For navigation, the missile uses a Chinese-made system and a Russian jam-resistant "Kometa" module with 16 antenna channels.
Meanwhile, the R500 turbojet engine installed on the "Filin" is manufactured in Russia by the company "Reynolds". Ukrainian intelligence has previously identified the same engine in other Russian cruise missiles, including the S-71K "Kover" and S-71M "Monokhrom".
Thus, the new missile combines components already used in other Russian weapon systems with a foreign electronic component base. This unification allows manufacturers to apply common technical solutions across different types of missiles and drones.
The DIU continues to study Russian strike weapons and publish information about enterprises involved in their production. These data are used, in particular, to identify the dependence of Russian defense production on foreign technologies.
Previously, the DIU revealed details of the modernization of the Russian "Kinzhal" missile. According to intelligence, Moscow is working on a new warhead for this weapon, which may be related to accuracy problems.
Sources: DIU of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, War&Sanctions
