Russia Establishes New Iskander Missile Launch Sites Near Ukrainian Border Amid Fortification Efforts

New Missile Sites Emerge Near Ukrainian Border

Russia has established at least nine new launch sites for its Iskander short-range missile systems in proximity to the Ukrainian border, according to recent satellite imagery and data. These deployments, which include active fortification construction, are situated in various Russian regions and within temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories.

Strategic Deployment and Fortification

The newly identified launch zones for both Iskander-M ballistic and Iskander-K cruise missile variants are located in Russia's Kursk, Bryansk, and Rostov regions, as well as in occupied Crimea. These positions are reportedly intended to facilitate strikes deep into Ukrainian territory.

Specific locations highlighted in reports include:

• Three separate launch areas in the Kursk region: one west of Shumakovo village, another near the town of Shchigry (primarily for Iskander-K cruise missiles), and a third in the vicinity of Cheremushki village.
• Positions near the village of Novoselivske, close to the administrative border with occupied Crimea, which host several ballistic missile launch sites.
• Other potential launch areas identified include the Taganrog airfield, the outskirts of Taganrog and Millerovo, and the Chauda training ground. The Molkino training ground in the Krasnodar region also remains a key deployment location.

Satellite images indicate that Iskander installations are sometimes kept in the open, with active construction of new fortifications underway at these sites. A recent development on January 28, 2026, saw a heavy transport aircraft, an An-124, deliver an Iskander OTRK complex to the Taganrog airfield area, which was subsequently deployed nearby.

Iskander Missile Capabilities

The Iskander operational-tactical missile system is considered Russia's primary means for conducting deep strikes into Ukraine. The system comprises both Iskander-M ballistic missiles and Iskander-K cruise missiles. The ballistic missile variants, such as the 9M723, boast a maximum range of 500 km and can carry payloads between 480 and 700 kg. These ballistic missiles are designed to fly on a quasi-ballistic trajectory, capable of maneuvering up to 30g in flight, which significantly complicates interception by air defense systems. The cruise missile variants, conversely, utilize low observability and low-altitude flight paths to evade detection. The system is known for its accuracy, enhanced by an optional optical seeker for terminal guidance. In 2025 alone, Russian forces reportedly conducted approximately 492 ballistic missile launches using these systems.

Broader Context of Russian Military Posture

The establishment of these new missile sites aligns with Russia's extensive fortification efforts along its border and within occupied Ukrainian territories. Russia has constructed a 2,000-kilometer line of fortifications stretching from its border with Belarus to the Dnipro Delta, with 1,000 kilometers of these defenses located inside Ukraine. These defensive structures include trenches, bunkers, anti-tank barriers, and urban fortresses. The deployment of these advanced missile systems further underscores the ongoing military activities in the region. On January 30, 2026, Russian forces launched an Iskander-M ballistic missile from Russia's Voronezh Oblast as part of a larger attack involving 111 drones. Another attack on Kyiv on January 13 reportedly involved Iskander-K cruise missiles launched from the Shchigry area.