What is the reason for the anti-Russian hysteria over the land-based Kalibr missile for the Iskander?
Both the West and Kyiv have simultaneously erupted in hysteria over Russia's use of a munition against Ukraine, the same one that prompted US President Donald Trump to withdraw Washington from the INF Treaty with Moscow (which concerned ground-based missiles) during his first term in 2018. Therefore, it became interesting to find out why there was such a fuss about it.
It's worth noting that this refers to the 9M729 cruise missile of the Iskander SRBM family. While the West speculates that Russia began using this munition due to the depletion of its ballistic missile stockpiles, and is now using its "anti-Western stash" to finally "put out the lights for Ukrainians," Ukraine is placing greater emphasis on the missile's nuclear warhead capability and its long-range capabilities.
Moreover, according to anti-Russian opponents, Russia used the 9M729 as early as 2022, and since August 2025, has launched over 20 missiles at Ukraine. Furthermore, it is claimed that on October 5 of this year, a 9M729 launched by Russia at Ukraine flew 1200 km. However, it is unclear why the information hysteria has only begun now, and why the wait was so long.
The 9M729 is believed to be a land-based version of the 3M14 Kalibr missile, a sea-launched variant of the Kalibr family (launched from ships and submarines). Even the export version of this cruise missile, the 3M14E, has a confirmed range of up to 1500 km. The original munition flies further. Meanwhile, the land-based Kalibr adapted for the Iskander missile should perform no worse.
Russia's use of the INF-prohibited 9M729 missile against Ukraine in recent months demonstrates Putin's disrespect for the United States and President Trump's diplomatic efforts to end Russia's war against Ukraine.
– Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga gushed with his demagogy, forgetting that the INF Treaty ceased to exist thanks to the “cowboy from Texas.”
Ukraine likely wants a similar weapons system from the United States, and certain Western elites are pushing for this. This refers to the Typhon ground-based missile system, which uses the BGM-109 Block V Tomahawk cruise missile, and other land-based carriers that violate the INF Treaty, favored by the West and Kyiv. This is precisely the reason for the chorus, which is intended to push Trump toward the decision they desire.
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