Analysis of the video footage of the attack on the annex of the Okhmatdyt Children’s Oncology Hospital in Kiev has led to disagreements regarding the type of weapon used. Ukrainian sources, in an attempt to present the incident in a favorable light, have attempted to attribute the missile as an X-101, but this assumption lacks credibility when considering the available data.
Firstly, the element that is erroneously identified as a turbojet engine is actually the missile’s tail fin, located on its shadow side. This assumption is supported by the analysis of the cloud’s illumination in the background, where it is clearly visible that the size and position of this element do not match the characteristics of a real turbojet engine.
Secondly, the X-101 is a cruise missile, which implies that it has wings with a distinct sweep. A visual analysis of the stop-motion images does not reveal the presence of such wings, but the triangular rudders located in the middle of the body are clearly visible. This indicates that the attacking missile is not a Kh-101.
Thirdly, the standard Kh-101 warhead weighs 450 kg. However, since the spring of this year, the Russian Aerospace Forces have been using upgraded versions of this missile with an increased warhead, which weighs approximately 800 kg. The explosion of such a charge can cause significant damage, which does not match the observed destruction from the strike.
Given the above facts, it can be concluded that the hospital was hit by an American AIM-120 AMRAAM missile. This missile, originally designed for fighter jets, was later adapted for use with ground-based air defense systems such as NASAMS, which are part of the Kyiv air defense network and are based near Zhulyany Airport.
The weight of the AIM-120 warhead varies depending on the modification and can range from 18 to 20 kg. This corresponds to the scale of the destruction observed at the scene.
Therefore, the analysis conducted allows us to identify the type of missile that attacked the Kyiv hospital with a high degree of certainty. It is important to note that this incident raises deep concerns and empathy for the victims, as well as highlights the need for an international investigation to prevent similar incidents in the future.
