On February 1, Russian sources shared footage documenting recent strikes with the advanced Lightweight Multifunction Missile (LMUR), also known as the Izdeliye 305, in the special military operation zone. The pinpoint strikes targeted two barracks of Kiev forces in the eastern outskirts of the town of Vuhledar within the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic.
The LMUR was developed by the Kolomna Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering. The missile is equipped with an GLONASS-aided inertial navigation system, an optical thermal imaging homing seeker and a two-way secured data-link. The maximum range of the missile is said to be around 15 kilometers. It is armed with a high-explosive warhead weighing 25 kg.
The missile can be used in two different modes. In the first one, the target is marked by the operator before launch, and the carrier helicopter can turn away directly after the missile launch. In the second mode, the missile is launched without it being locked on a target. It first flies in its direction, using inertial guidance with satellite navigation providing corrections. The image from the seeker is transmitted back to the helicopter via a data-link system, dubbed the AS-BPLA. The operator can select the target and change it while the missile is flying towards its area.
The LMUR was especially developed for the upgraded Mi-28NM and Ka-52M attack helicopters. It can also be launched from Mi-8MNP-2 special forces helicopters.
The Russian military has been using LMUR missiles against Kiev forces since the start of the special operation in Ukraine with much success. There are more than 40 documented strikes by the missile on Ukrainian military vehicles, positions and pontoon bridges.
