Putin’s Missile Program in Crisis: Russia Uses Dummies Instead of Real Warheads

The lack of essential components means that many missiles are essentially incomplete.

Russia Faces Major Production Problems for Kh-59 Missiles

According to Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate, Russia is struggling to produce the Kh-59 guided missile due to a shortage of key components.

These issues have forced Moscow to equip many missiles with dummy seeker warheads instead of functioning ones.

The production delays are also preventing Russia from fulfilling existing military orders.

Dummy Warheads Replace Real Seeker Systems

The Kh-59’s active homing seeker is one of its most expensive and technologically advanced parts.

Because of severe shortages, Russian factories are now installing non-functional dummy versions.

Without real seeker heads, the missiles lose their precision guidance capability, making them far less effective in combat.

Old Missile Systems “Cannibalized” for Parts

To offset the shortage, Russian engineers are trying to adapt old missile systems, such as the R95 engines, for use in new Kh-59s.

However, Ukrainian intelligence reports that even this approach cannot meet production needs.

The lack of essential components means that many missiles are essentially incomplete.

Kh-59: Capabilities and Specifications

The Kh-59 is a television-guided missile with a solid-fuel rocket engine and a total mass of about 760 kg.

Its warhead weighs nearly 150 kg and it has an effective range of around 40 km.

Designed for precision strikes, the weapon’s effectiveness depends heavily on its seeker head—now missing in many units.

Dozens of Suppliers Still Avoiding Sanctions

Nearly 50 companies involved in the production of the Kh-59 are not currently subject to international sanctions.

Despite this, Russia is still unable to source all the parts it needs.

Ukrainian officials believe that targeted sanctions against these suppliers could further cripple Russia’s missile manufacturing.

Further Sanctions Could Deepen the Crisis

In July, Ukrainian intelligence identified over 70 manufacturers involved in the production of another Russian missile, the Kh-101.

Many of these companies remain unsanctioned.

Kyiv argues that tightening restrictions on component suppliers could significantly slow Moscow’s missile output and weaken its war effort.