Ukraine: Polish-Made Rockets Hitting Targets in Russia?

Remains of the Polish-made rockets were supposedly found following the last strike against targets within the aforesaid Russian district, launched by the Ukrainians. The rockets in question are compatible at least with the BM-21 Grad, and RM-70 systems and their derivatives, and they can be employed by the Ukrainians without any issues. It is still unclear how many such rockets were transferred to Ukraine by Poland. Given their range of 40 kilometres, these munitions offer exponentially better performance4, when compared to the legacy rockets, with a range of up to 20 kilometres. This is why the Polish munitions could have been used to strike targets close to the border.

The munitions as such are manufactured by Mesko, a part of the PGZ Group. Poland has, so far, transferred significant quantities of 122 mm rockets to Ukraine, along with several BM-21 Grad systems. Some rumours also suggest that RM-70/85 systems were also transferred.

Feniks-HD is a 122 mm HE-warhead rocket, with an effective range of more than 40 km. It meets all of the requirements defined by the Polish Armed Forces, within the scope of safety, durability, operation, and accuracy. The missiles in question can be employed by different MLRS systems, including WR-40 Langusta, RM-70, or BM-21 Grad. Agreement on the development of a test batch of M-21 Feniks HE rockets was signed in 2013, and later on, the rockets underwent a field test programme. Feniks system received the DEFENDER award back in 2018, during the MSPO event in Kielce.

The agreement on procurement of those rockets for the Polish Armed Forces was signed in September 2019, and covered the acquisition of 820 munitions as such, at a total price of PLN 25 million. Another contract was signed in 2021.