Reuters learned that Russia is using target missiles, known as RM48U, as a replacement for Iskander or KN-23 missiles, and they are already striking Ukraine. These missiles, intended for air defense training, have been launched from S-400 systems. In July and early August, RM48U constituted over half of the 228 ballistic and hypersonic missiles fired at Ukraine.

The RM48U missiles are described as inaccurate, with an average deviation of approximately 300 meters. According to investigative data, a Russian strike in August using such a missile killed eight people on a railway platform in Kvitneve near Kyiv. However, Russian forces reportedly see value in using these missiles to deplete Ukrainian air defense interceptor stocks. Intelligence from Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) indicates that 17 S-400 systems in Russia have been modified to launch these training targets, which are now being used as weapons against civilians.