NEW YORK, BRONX (ORDO News) — In a startling revelation, a recent study by a team of Swedish physicists suggests that a unique weather phenomenon played a pivotal role in Ukraine‘s successful targeting and sinking of the Russian guided missile cruiser Moskva from an astonishing distance of 55 miles away on April 13, 2022.
The study indicates that a capping temperature inversion, characterized by warm air trapping cold air at a lower altitude, created atmospheric conditions conducive to extending the range of Ukraine’s radar capabilities.
The incident marked a significant tactical and symbolic victory for Ukraine in the early months of the war that commenced in February 2022. Initial reports suggested that Ukraine utilized two R-360 Neptune anti-ship missiles against the Moskva, but the extraordinary feat raised questions about how Ukrainian radar operators managed to detect and target the ship from such an extended range.
The Neptune missile system relies on the Mineral-U radar, a sophisticated ‘search-and-track’ radar system providing coordinates for missile launchers.
However, given the Moskva’s location beyond the typical radar horizon, the mystery persisted. The scientists conducting the study utilized meteorological data from the day of the missile strike to model radar wave behavior.
Under normal circumstances, radar waves propagate about 15 percent farther than the geometrical horizon by bouncing off the atmosphere. However, the study proposes that a capped temperature inversion, where cold air is trapped at lower altitudes by a layer of warmer air, led to an unusual scenario.
This inversion, caused by sustained winds off the Ukrainian coast, enabled radar waves to travel an extended distance, bringing the Moskva within the Ukrainian radar’s range.
The findings highlight the significance of atmospheric conditions in warfare, emphasizing that weather patterns can have a considerable impact on radar wave propagation. The implications extend beyond this specific incident, prompting a reevaluation of the role weather may play in military operations.
Following the attack, Russian officials initially downplayed the incident, claiming the ship was buoyant and undergoing repairs in Crimea. They attributed the damage to an ammunition explosion. Various speculative explanations circulated, including allegations of external assistance or the use of aerial drones.
However, the study sheds light on the crucial role played by the unique weather conditions, offering a new perspective on the intricacies of modern warfare. Ukrainian radar operators, aided by fortuitous meteorological circumstances, successfully executed the Neptune missile strike, contributing to a critical turning point in the ongoing conflict.
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News agencies contributed to this report, edited and published by ORDO News editors.
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