First Confirmed Extended-Range Use

Ukrainian forces have confirmed the first combat use of an extended-range Iskander missile, striking a target at an estimated distance of about 800 kilometers. 

The disclosure follows monitoring data and official confirmation circulated in mid-December 2025, marking a significant departure from the previously declared performance limits of the Iskander-M system.

The standard Iskander-M (9K720, NATO: SS-26 Stone) is officially rated for a maximum range of 500 kilometers. 

The newly confirmed strike exceeds that threshold by a wide margin, indicating that Russia has fielded an upgraded variant long discussed in military circles under the informal label “Iskander-1000.”

“A Different Flight Profile”

According to monitoring data cited by multiple sources, the missile followed a quasi-ballistic trajectory distinct from earlier Iskander-M launches. 

It reportedly maneuvered throughout its flight and executed a near-vertical terminal dive approaching 90 degrees. 

The extended range and altered profile significantly compress warning and interception timelines.

Air defense reaction windows are assessed to have fallen from the typical 15–20 minutes associated with longer-range cruise missile threats to as little as 2–7 minutes, depending on launch location. 

The missile is also reported to reach hypersonic speeds comparable to Mach 8–9, placing it closer in performance to Russia’s Kh-47M2 Kinzhal than to earlier Iskander variants.

From Rumor to Operational Capability

Speculation about an extended-range Iskander variant began circulating in Russian media as early as mid-2024, often linked to testing activity at the Kapustin Yar missile range. 

Those reports pointed to increased fuel volume, advanced propellants, and incremental guidance upgrades as the means of extending range beyond the limits imposed by the original design.

With confirmed operational use at approximately 800 km in late 2025, the system appears to have moved beyond the testing phase. 

While exact technical specifications remain undisclosed, the confirmed strike suggests that Russia has succeeded in fielding a longer-range tactical ballistic missile without formally reclassifying it as a strategic system.

Implications for Air Defense

The confirmed use of an extended-range Iskander materially alters the air defense environment. 

Targets deeper inside Ukraine can now be struck from launch sites farther from the front line, complicating detection, attribution, and interception. 

Even advanced systems such as Patriot have had limited success against standard Iskander-M missiles, and the shortened reaction time further strains interceptor coverage.

The missile’s maneuvering trajectory and steep terminal descent reduce engagement opportunities and challenge radar tracking, particularly when combined with saturation attacks or decoys. 

From an operational standpoint, the system blurs the line between tactical and theater-level strike capabilities.