Russian forces began integrating inexpensive, highly maneuverable quasi-cruise missiles into their missile strike packages in mid-2026 — marking a concerning shift toward low-cost, cruise-missile-like weapons that can strain Ukraine’s scarce air defense stocks. Russian forces likely aim to use quasi-cruise missiles to augment the devastating effects of the ballistic missile and jet-powered drone combined strikes, which have been exploiting and exacerbating Ukrainian interceptor missile shortages. Russian developers are actively expanding production, improving speed and maneuverability, and diversifying launch platforms in an effort to increasingly deploy these weapons in 2027 before Ukraine can field countermeasures at scale.
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