Russia’s domestic Iskander-M and Pyongyang-supplied KN-23 ballistic missile stockpile has dropped from 580 to 300 since May, Ukrainian intelligence told Liga. The report does not include other widely used types of Russian ballistic missiles, such as the S-300 and S-400 surface-to-air systems repurposed for ground attacks, or the Kinzhal, which is essentially an air-launched variant of the Iskander-M.
Ukrainian intel: Russia loses nearly half its advanced ballistic arsenal
As of early July 2025, Russia possesses around 300 ballistic missiles of the Iskander-M type and their North Korean equivalents, the KN-23, Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) told Liga in response to a request. The stockpile currently includes over 250 Russian-made Iskander-M missiles and about 50 KN-23s supplied by North Korea.
Ukrainian intelligence previously stated that in mid-May, Russia had approximately 580 ballistic missiles of this class. The current total confirms a nearly twofold drop in supply over the course of just six weeks.
Dozens of launchers remain deployed near Ukrainian border
According to HUR, over 60 tactical missile system launchers capable of firing these ballistic missiles are presently deployed close to Ukraine’s borders, indicating the continued threat of Iskander-M strikes.
In May, HUR had reported that Russia had stepped up its missile production. Compared to 2024, production volumes had increased from 40 to 60 missiles per month.
Almost 90 ballistic missiles launched on Ukraine in two months
According to the Air Force of Ukraine data, during May and June, Russia used 88 ballistic missiles — a combination of Iskander-M and KN-23 — in attacks on Ukrainian towns and cities. Ukrainian air defense forces successfully intercepted and destroyed 23 of them.
In early June, Ukrainian forces eliminated three launchers in Bryansk oblast, from which Russian troops had been firing missiles at Ukraine.
The Air Force’s figure does not account for the full 190-missile gap between HUR’s two estimates, suggesting that Russia may not have used all the missing Iskanders in strikes. The difference could also be explained by the destruction of launchers and several Russian ammunition depots across both Russia and the occupied territories. Alternatively, the Air Force may not have recorded all Iskander launches in its reports, or HUR’s previous assessment was wrong, and the agency may have revised its earlier estimate based on updated intelligence.
Read also
-
CBS: Trump mulls arming Ukraine after record Russian strikes, $ 3.85 bn sits ready for immediate use
-
ISW: Russia’s true drone target is Ukrainian and Western morale—Ukraine needs more Patriots
-
Russia hits maternity ward, hospitals, homes in weaker but destructive drone attack
-
Russian missile hits Ukrainian military training ground, kills 3 and injures 14
-
ISW: Russia continues to want Ukraine’s “complete destruction.” Russian missile stockpile only grows.