Secret Location: VRT NWS Visits One of Ukraine's Fastest Growing (and Most Important) Arms Companies

In a heavily guarded, secret location, VRT NWS gained rare access to Fire Point, a Ukrainian defense company that has rapidly emerged as a crucial player in the nation's war effort. Just three years ago, the company was unknown outside Ukraine; today, its drones and missiles are striking deep within Russia, targeting oil facilities, airports, and factories.

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Europe lives in illusions.

Mede-oprichter Denys Shtilierman, a former IT specialist with no prior experience in the arms industry, founded Fire Point in 2022 as a direct response to the full-scale Russian invasion. He explains that many Ukrainians initially believed they had the means to defend themselves, but the domestic defense industry was virtually nonexistent. When no government solution for long-range drones materialized, Shtilierman decided to act.

"Europe lives in illusions," Shtilierman stated, highlighting a perceived disconnect between the continent's understanding of the conflict and the reality on the ground. He expressed frustration with existing market offerings, citing one company's $200,000 drone capable of carrying only 15 kilograms of explosives over 400 kilometers. Fire Point aimed to achieve better results at a significantly lower cost.

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We thought we had the means to defend ourselves, and that the industry was ready. But that industry hardly existed.

The company's first attack drone, the FP-1, successfully flew in January 2023, marking Fire Point's debut weapon. By March 2024, the company had proven its capabilities during an open test conducted by the Ukrainian armed forces and the U.S. Embassy. The company's facilities, bustling with young employees, evoke the atmosphere of a Silicon Valley tech startup, a stark contrast to the ongoing war impacting the city.

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Some companies asked for $200,000 for a drone that could carry 15 kilograms of explosives over 400 kilometers. We said: we can do this much cheaper.