Leaked Documents Reveal Huge Costs of Russia’s Missile Program and Its Use in Ukraine
A report published by the Italian site “Inside Over,” based on leaked documents from the Russian Ministry of Defense obtained by the Ukrainian site “Militarnyi,” highlights a vast and costly missile arsenal possessed by Moscow, with some warheads costing millions of dollars each.
The details of the documents show that Russian forces are employing a wide range of ballistic and cruise missiles in their conflict with Ukraine, including the short-range ballistic missile “Iskander-M,” air-launched cruise missiles “Kh-101” and “Kh-47M2 Kinzhal,” as well as ground-launched missiles like “9M728/9M729” and the naval variant “3M14 Kalibr.”
Notable Costs and Productions
The documents revealed contracts for thousands of missiles with costs ranging from approximately $1.4 million to over $12 million per missile, depending on the type and specifications. The design bureau “Novator” received orders to produce hundreds of cruise and naval missiles, with an estimated cost of around $1.5–2.3 million each.
The price of aerial cruise missiles “Kh-101” is estimated at about $2 million per unit, while hypersonic “Tsirkon” missiles cost around $5.2–5.6 million per piece. The hypersonic “Kinzhal” is valued at approximately $4.5 million, and some versions of “Iskander-M” have reached prices between $3 million and $12.4 million, depending on the specifications.
Military and Strategic Dimensions
The documents go beyond pricing, revealing long-term production programs, scheduled deliveries for the years 2022–2026, and the development of nuclear-armed variants for some naval models, along with contracts for testing and upgrading launching systems and platforms (corvettes, submarines, ground platforms, and strategic aircraft).
Indications and Analysis
The investigation highlights two main points: firstly, the significant financial and production resources that Russia allocates to its missile arsenal, reflecting a costly national strategic priority; and secondly, the diversity of systems—from short-range tactical missiles to long-range hypersonic platforms—indicates Moscow’s aim to maintain offensive capability and operational flexibility across maritime, aerial, and ground pathways.
