Low-cost missiles reach deep into Russia: how the Kairos unit operates

Targets are identified using intelligence, satellite imagery, and information from energy workers

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26 Oct 2026

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Далекобійні удари України по об’єктах у Росії

In 2026, Ukraine significantly expanded its ability to strike targets deep inside Russia. The Kairos deep-strike unit, commanded by a lieutenant colonel with the call sign Ray, plays a key role in these operations.

Ukrainian forces are increasingly using relatively small, low-cost cruise missiles. They can travel long distances and hit various targets in Russia and in the occupied territories of Ukraine — air defense systems, gas terminals and oil refineries.

One example of Kairos working alongside other Ukrainian units was a fire at an oil refinery near Moscow. It broke out in September following operations by these units.

However, the effectiveness of strikes depends on more than the development of weapons production. Planning operations involves analyzing detailed maps, satellite imagery, intelligence and information from energy-sector specialists. Combining these sources helps identify vulnerable parts of infrastructure and select targets more accurately.

“We needed the latest satellite images not only of the target, but also earlier images, so we could compare changes over time and identify the elements that needed to be struck,” explained the commander of Kairos, a lieutenant colonel with the call sign Ray.

One limitation during operations is communication with drones. Starlink does not work on Russian territory, making remote control of the aircraft more difficult. Under these conditions, cruise missiles have a certain advantage: they are programmed in advance to fly to specified coordinates.

The situation is different in the occupied territories of Ukraine. There, remote control allows operators to receive a video feed almost until the moment a target is hit. Thus, alongside intelligence and planning, the method of controlling a weapon also affects deep-strike capabilities.

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