Wreckage: how Russian missiles and drones are being investigated in Kharkiv

Bokarius Forensic Science Institute determines the type of weapon the enemy is using to attack Ukraine

Prof. M.S. Bokarius Forensic Science Institute (NSC FSI) is researching all types of weapons: "from brass knuckles to rockets," as the staff themselves say. During the first year of the full-scale war, they learned to determine the type of weapons used by the Russians from the remains. This is extremely important for the investigation and the thoroughness of the indictments sent to the courts. Such information also provides insight into what new munitions are being created in Russia and how existing ones are being modified.

The institute told Ukrinform correspondents about the S-300, Shaheds and bombs, as well as the "jackpot" for the expert.

NO OTHER COUNTRY HAS EVER SEEN SUCH A LARGE NUMBER AND VARIETY OF MISSILES

Almost all types of missiles used by the Russian Federation to strike Ukraine passed through the laboratories of the state institution. While in the first weeks of the full-scale invasion it was extremely difficult for experts to identify and compare ammunition, now the accumulated materials and experience allow them to work confidently. But the amount of work is enormous, says Vitaliy Nikitiuk, head of the weapons and explosives research sector. And this fact will not surprise an average Ukrainian, because the Russians do not stop shelling.

The "geography" of the wreckage being investigated is wide: from Chernihiv to Donetsk region.

"Previously, the workload of an expert was up to a hundred studies, which was a lot, but now leading experts have a thousand and a half studies in hand. They are diverse, complex, comprehensive, and commissioned," the expert says.

One of the key challenges is the emergence of new weapons by our enemy, which must be correctly identified by small fragments. For this purpose, there is usually a lack of information even within the framework of international experience.

In a month, a specialist can conduct 5-7 studies, up to ten at most, the institute notes.

"I don't think any country has ever seen such a large number and variety of missiles. Our employees collect data and samples bit by bit to have both a natural collection and an electronic collection. However, Russia is using more and more new types of ammunition that they produce or process. So it is difficult to adapt, but we are doing it," says Nikitiuk.

NO UNKNOWN DEBRIS - MORE TIME IS NEEDED

The expert explains that each case requires different time to conduct the investigation, depending on what needs to be worked with.

"Sometimes centimeters are enough, sometimes a massive fragment is needed. If it has markings, it is a "jackpot" for an expert, because it contains either all or partial information about the munition, and there is an understanding of whether it was made in Russia or whether the aggressor country bought it somewhere. Sometimes one glance is enough, sometimes consultations are needed, sometimes you need to look up literature and search for sources of information," Nikitiuk notes. "And sometimes an expert doesn't even need a piece of debris: he arrives at the scene and understands what type of missile was used.

The head of the Weapons and Explosives Research Sector currently has a piece of debris at his workplace (not for photography) that remains a mystery.

"This is the only case where we cannot identify what type of missile it was. In other cases, we have done well. No, this is not a dead end for an expert. There is no such thing as unknown wreckage, which means more time is needed," Nikitiuk assures.

Leading expert Oleksandr Kolomietsev notes that it is important that the debris at the scene is carefully collected.

And yet, it is extremely difficult to work with small, completely uninformative remnants.

"This mainly concerns artillery ammunition fragments that do not belong to the main fraction of fragments, so it is almost impossible to determine, say, the GRAU index [a system of numerical and alphabetic designation of weapons and military equipment assigned by the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of the Russian Ministry of Defense] We can only provide a caliber range," the expert notes.

ALMOST AN ENTIRE "SHAHED", REMNANTS OF "FABs" AND X-29

Oleksandr Kolomietsev, who has 1200 examinations under his belt, shows what he has to deal with.

"These are the remnants of a FAB-500Sh high-explosive aerial bomb, an assault bomb used to strike ground targets from low altitudes. It is a high-explosive fragmentation bomb. The weight of the warhead is about 300 kg. And it is dropped by parachute [Russia drops such bombs tens of kilometers from the front line without entering the Ukrainian air defense zone.]

After the explosion of such a bomb, the so-called bottom of the hull, which separates the warhead and the parachute, remains. These remains can be used to identify the munition.

Also on the expert's desk is a part of an X-29 air-to-ground missile, namely the part responsible for aerodynamic control.

"This is all that remains of the missile after the explosion. Missiles can be identified based on design features and the size of characteristic parts. Of course, when there is no marking, special albums with diagrams are used," the expert notes.

He also shows the remains of the X-59MK2, its central part and fragments of electronic equipment.

The expert also says that all Kharkiv residents are used to calling them simply "S-300s" because they most often fly from the Russian city of Belgorod. In fact, the S-300 is a medium-range strike system.

"And the missiles used by the Russians are mostly 5V55K or 5V55R or their modifications," Kolomietsev said.

According to him, modern missiles, such as the X-101 or Kalibr, are easier to identify than old Soviet missiles, and there is more information about such munitions.

The Institute also has an almost complete Shahed-136: the drone missed its target in Kharkiv region, crashed and burst into flames. Thanks to this, experts were able to study in detail the design of what Ukrainians call "mopeds."

"This is a penetrator type warhead, a high-explosive fragmentation warhead. In fact, it's a steel block filled with explosives, the fragments of which scatter just like an artillery shell. It includes an engine, GPS navigation antennas, steering devices, and various other parts," Kolomietsev said.

Usually, these drones leave a lot of debris because they are lightweight - when they explode, they are scattered in different directions. It is quite easy to identify these UAVs.

The expert notes that the Shahed-131 has a "more interesting" warhead with warheads.

"It is slightly smaller in size, but its damage is slightly higher. But it is more difficult to manufacture compared to the 136," Kolomietsev explains.

DAMAGE EXAMINATION IS ACCELERATED BY A 3D SCANNER

After the full-scale invasion began, a 3D scanner appeared at the Bokarius Institute. The powerful device was provided as humanitarian aid by Ukraine's foreign partners.

Andriy Huryev, a forensic expert at the Laboratory of Engineering and Military Research, emphasizes that the scanner has significantly accelerated several types of examinations. The scanner can be used for an hour to five hours at the site of rocket attacks or shelling, which is much less time than it would take for specialists from different laboratories to work separately.

"The principle of operation is a mirror from which the laser's 'eyes' reflect and return to it. When the device is turned on, the first rotation is when it positions itself in space, after which it starts scanning and taking 360-degree photos. It records slopes, distances, and builds a three-dimensional model. After that, the data is processed on a computer, everything unnecessary is cut off, and then the finished model is passed on to construction, technical, military, and explosive engineering expertise, which is significantly accelerated because there is no need to take unnecessary measurements," says Huryev.

Experts compare the resulting 3D model with the technical documentation for the building. Or they compare it with the 3D models before the destruction. "Of course, there have been few such scans before, but they do exist," Huryev notes.

For reference: The National Scientific Center "Bokarius Forensic Science Institute" is a state specialized research institution of forensic examination subordinated to the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine. In addition to examinations of various types of weapons, the Institute conducts handwriting, linguistic, psychological, art history, trace, photographic, biological, engineering, transport, fire, economic, construction, forensic veterinary, historical, archaeological, commodity and other research. In November, the institution celebrates its 100th anniversary. Mykola Bokarius is the founder and first director of the Institute. In 1911, he was the first in the Russian Empire to conduct a fingerprint examination. He founded the forensic science field of forensic medicine.

Yulia Bayrachna, Kharkiv

Photo by Viacheslav Madievskyi