Russia Revives Advanced Soviet-Era Missiles with Deadlier Upgrades, Revealed to Be Used Against Ukraine
TIMEMOMENTS.COM - Russia has once again showcased one of its long-range missiles for use in the conflict in Ukraine.
Previously, it had deployed the R37M air-to-air missile, with a range of up to 250 miles.
Now, Russia is posing a new threat to Ukraine by deploying the modified AAM R-77M missile, which operates beyond visual range.
According to the EurAsian Times, on July 29, 2025, circulating footage revealed the latest version of the R-77, known to NATO as the AA-12 Adder.
This missile is not only operational but is also actively used by the Russian Air Force (RuAF) in the Ukraine War.
Previously, it had deployed the R37M air-to-air missile, with a range of up to 250 miles.
Now, Russia is posing a new threat to Ukraine by deploying the modified AAM R-77M missile, which operates beyond visual range.
According to the EurAsian Times, on July 29, 2025, circulating footage revealed the latest version of the R-77, known to NATO as the AA-12 Adder.
This missile is not only operational but is also actively used by the Russian Air Force (RuAF) in the Ukraine War.
Specifically, the missile, originally developed to be carried internally by Russia's fifth-generation Su-57 fighter jet, utilizes an active phased array antenna seeker (APAA), making it extremely difficult for the target aircraft to break the missile's lock.
This makes the R-77M a fire-and-forget weapon, giving it a significant no-escape attack capability.
According to Zona Militar, on July 30, 2025, it was revealed that the R-77 missile, previously known as Izdeliye 170, is a legacy of the Soviet Union.
This missile was developed when the Soviet Union was seeking a new long-range air-to-air missile to counter similar models being developed by the United States and its Western allies.
The dissolution of the Soviet Union and the socio-economic crisis in Russia led to delays in its development and deployment to public service, which was originally scheduled for 1994.
Instead, the missile was immediately offered for export to third-party countries in the same year.
However, as time went on and Russia's internal situation stabilized,
the R-77 continued to undergo specific improvements to maintain its capabilities. One notable example is its deployment in Syria by the Russian Air Force in the R-77-1 variant.
Among the various improvements introduced, which form the basis for the next major upgrade of the missile, the R-77M is also designed to be integrated into the internal weapon bay of the new stealth fighter jet Su-57.
This development includes enhanced resistance to electronic countermeasures, aerodynamic improvements, and more sensitive and advanced seeker technology.
Currently, the Su-35S has established itself as the primary combat platform and air superiority fighter of the Russian Air Force.
Equipped with its advanced capabilities and long-range and extra-long-range air-to-air weaponry, which includes the R-77-1 and R-37M (NATO code: AA-13 Axehead) mentioned earlier.
Over the past few months, various open-source analyses of missile debris found on the battlefield have indicated that the Russian Air Force is already using a new version of the Vympel air-to-air missile.
A recently viral image showing a Su-35S fighter jet armed with one of these missiles.
This reinforces the speculation and, of course, raises new concerns for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
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This makes the R-77M a fire-and-forget weapon, giving it a significant no-escape attack capability.
According to Zona Militar, on July 30, 2025, it was revealed that the R-77 missile, previously known as Izdeliye 170, is a legacy of the Soviet Union.
This missile was developed when the Soviet Union was seeking a new long-range air-to-air missile to counter similar models being developed by the United States and its Western allies.
The dissolution of the Soviet Union and the socio-economic crisis in Russia led to delays in its development and deployment to public service, which was originally scheduled for 1994.
Instead, the missile was immediately offered for export to third-party countries in the same year.
However, as time went on and Russia's internal situation stabilized,
the R-77 continued to undergo specific improvements to maintain its capabilities. One notable example is its deployment in Syria by the Russian Air Force in the R-77-1 variant.
Among the various improvements introduced, which form the basis for the next major upgrade of the missile, the R-77M is also designed to be integrated into the internal weapon bay of the new stealth fighter jet Su-57.
This development includes enhanced resistance to electronic countermeasures, aerodynamic improvements, and more sensitive and advanced seeker technology.
Currently, the Su-35S has established itself as the primary combat platform and air superiority fighter of the Russian Air Force.
Equipped with its advanced capabilities and long-range and extra-long-range air-to-air weaponry, which includes the R-77-1 and R-37M (NATO code: AA-13 Axehead) mentioned earlier.
Over the past few months, various open-source analyses of missile debris found on the battlefield have indicated that the Russian Air Force is already using a new version of the Vympel air-to-air missile.
A recently viral image showing a Su-35S fighter jet armed with one of these missiles.
This reinforces the speculation and, of course, raises new concerns for the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
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