New 40kg cumulative-cutting munition is designed to destroy high-voltage electrical towers
Russian forces used a jet-powered drone equipped with a specialized cumulative-cutting warhead on September 30 for the first time. The weapon is designed to damage critical infrastructure, specifically high-voltage power transmission towers and bridge structures. This was reported by Glavcom citing Serhii Beskrestnov, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Serhii Beskrestnov, Advisor to the President on Defense Technology Development, reported the enemy’s deployment of this new type of weaponry. He clarified that the munition features a specific design, enabling it to efficiently dismantle robust metallic structures.
The new warhead consists of a 40-kilogram main charge complemented by four separate impact modules. The use of this cumulative-cutting special payload significantly alters the nature of the threat posed to the energy sector.
Threat to the Energy System
According to the expert, deploying such weapons on jet platforms indicates the aggressor’s intent to specifically target strategic high-voltage power lines. This presents additional challenges to the stability of the Ukrainian energy system and necessitates an appropriate response from defense forces.
The analyst emphasized that the technical characteristics of the munition are optimized precisely for cutting through the load-bearing components of high-voltage towers. Beyond power grids, large metal bridges could also become targets for such strike weapons.
It should be noted that emergency power outages were implemented in Kyiv on September 30, following directives from Ukrenergo. Experts link these measures to the need for grid balancing amidst the heightened risk of new aerial strikes.
Photo: Лінії електропередач
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