Why Soviet anti-ship missiles often attacked from high altitude

Why did many Soviet anti-ship missiles use high attack profiles instead of sea skimming?

The Soviet approach prioritized speed, range, and a concentrated heavy blow, while sea skimming demanded more guidance work and supported a different attack philosophy.

High-altitude flight made it easier to achieve speed without the demanding guidance control required close to the sea. Soviet missiles emphasized a heavy, fast strike intended to cause severe damage with the few rounds that penetrated. The aim was a concentrated long-range salvo arriving together, with one or two successful hits causing maximum damage. Research budgets limited investment in competing approaches, so the choice has to be understood through Soviet operational priorities. Assessing the design starts with what that navy expected its missiles to accomplish.