Nudol (A-235 / PL-19)

A Russian road-mobile direct-ascent anti-satellite and missile-defense interceptor, demonstrated by the destruction of Kosmos 1408 in low Earth orbit in November 2021.

Overview

Nudol is a Russian ground-launched interceptor system designed to attack satellites in low Earth orbit and potentially perform exo-atmospheric ballistic-missile interception. The principal known configuration is the 14Ts033 complex, comprising the 14A042 solid-fuel interceptor, 14P078 command-and-control system and 14Ts031 radar. The United States identifies the missile as PL-19.

Nudol's relationship to the A-235 missile-defense programme remains disputed. Some public accounts describe “A-235 PL-19 Nudol” as a single programme replacing the nuclear-armed A-135 defenses around Moscow. The Secure World Foundation, however, assesses Nudol as a separate direct-ascent anti-satellite project, distinct from the A-235 system's upgraded 53T6M short-range and Aerostat long-range interceptors. This distinction matters because capabilities attributed to the wider A-235 family cannot automatically be assigned to Nudol.

Russia demonstrated Nudol's counterspace role on 15 November 2021, when an interceptor launched from Plesetsk destroyed the defunct Soviet Kosmos 1408 signals-intelligence satellite at an altitude of approximately 468–470 km. The event established a demonstrated low-Earth-orbit intercept capability but generated a large debris cloud. Public evidence does not establish that Nudol has entered routine operational service.

🔒 The full Nudol (A-235 / PL-19) file is for BattlePolicy Pro members. Below the line: development history, design and capabilities, variants, the combat record, advantages and limitations, comparable systems, outlook, the full specifications table, our sourcing, and the analyst assessment — procurement, suppliers and the BattlePolicy verdict. Unlock the full file with BattlePolicy Pro →