MADRID, October 21 (EUROPA PRESS) –

Britain’s Defense Ministry downplayed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s announcement this week of the start of Russian air patrols in the Black Sea with planes loaded with Kinzhal missiles, which London says are not yet fully developed. as an instrument of strategic propaganda.

Putin on Wednesday announced the deployment of MiG-31I fighter jets armed with the Kh-47M2 Kinzhal in response to the US Navy’s increased presence in the eastern Mediterranean.

These missiles, with a range of up to 2,000 kilometers, are intended as a deterrent against North American ships, according to the president.

But the UK considered that this announcement was “in line with typical Russian rhetoric aimed at its domestic audience, which calls Western countries aggressors and at the same time considers Russia’s activities necessary to protect the country.”

In its most recently published assessment of its ability to produce and operate newly developed weapons, despite the ongoing Ukrainian conflict.

London understands that, currently, Kinzhal is in the operational testing phase “and its performance in Ukraine to date has been poor.”

“On paper the aircraft is still very capable, capable of flying at hypersonic speeds and evading modern air defense systems, although the way Russia uses it will almost certainly need to be significantly improved to achieve this potential,” the British Government said.