Russia Deploys Treaty-Banned Missile Type in Ukraine
Russia has escalated its aerial attacks on Ukraine, employing drones and a missile type previously banned under the now-defunct Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Imagery reviewed by Reuters suggests the use of the SSC-8 cruise missile, which contributed to the collapse of the arms-control pact. Meanwhile, Moscow has signaled it is in "no rush" for a negotiated end to the conflict.
The SSC-8, known formally as the 9M729, is a ground-launched cruise missile developed by Russian defense contractor NPO Novator. It is believed to be a land-based variant of the sea-launched 3M-54 Kalibr cruise missile (NATO designation: SS-N-27 Sizzler), which has been used extensively in the conflict. This highlights a trend in modern defense manufacturing: adapting proven naval systems for ground-based applications to accelerate development and deployment. The missile's estimated range of up to 2,500 km was a key factor in the dissolution of the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. This agreement, a cornerstone of Cold War arms control, banned all ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with ranges between 500 and 5,500 kilometers. The SSC-8's range falls squarely within this prohibited category. U.S. officials first alleged Russia was in violation of the treaty in 2014, and by February 2017, reports indicated Russia had already deployed two battalions of the new missile system. Russia covertly began developing the missile in the mid-2000s and started flight testing in 2008, creatively testing it at different ranges from both fixed and mobile launchers to obscure its full capabilities. The road-mobile nature of the SSC-8's launcher makes it difficult to track and target, posing a significant challenge to air defense systems. Each battalion is thought to consist of four launchers, with each launcher carrying an estimated four to six missiles, capable of carrying either conventional or nuclear warheads. As of early 2019, intelligence suggested Russia possessed as many as 64 SSC-8 missiles. The United States formally suspended its obligations under the INF Treaty in February 2019, citing Russia's non-compliance, and officially withdrew in August 2019. Russia followed suit, officially suspending its participation. The treaty's collapse removed critical guardrails on a dangerous class of weapons, a direct precursor to their current use in Ukraine.
