Ukraine could strike Russia with ballistic missiles in 3-6 months: report

Ukraine may be able to strike deep within Russian territory using its own ballistic missiles in as little as three to six months, according to reports. Until now, Ukraine has primarily used less sophisticated, slower, and more easily intercepted drones and cruise missiles for attacks far behind enemy lines.

Russia, meanwhile, consistently employs ballistic missiles to attack Ukraine, placing a significant strain on the country's air defense systems. Ukraine's defense industry has been working to counter this threat. In June, a major Ukrainian defense company, "Fire Point," successfully tested a ballistic missile theoretically capable of enabling Ukraine to respond in kind to Russia's long-range strikes.

Oleksii Reznikov, who served as Ukraine's Defense Minister until his dismissal in mid-July, expressed optimism about the country's ballistic missile program. He stated that the program gained new momentum under his tenure and believes Ukraine could launch a ballistic missile at Russia by the end of the year. "We must defeat Russia in every technological cycle, and we must make decisions around the clock," Reznikov remarked, emphasizing the ongoing technological race between the two nations.

Reznikov's departure from the Defense Ministry followed a decision by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reportedly due to irreconcilable discord between Reznikov and Commander-in-Chief General Oleksandr Syrskyi. This internal friction occurred despite Reznikov's efforts to develop Ukraine's strategy for countering a more powerful adversary using drones and robots. The development of indigenous ballistic missile capabilities represents a significant potential escalation in Ukraine's ability to project force.

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We must defeat Russia in every technological cycle, and we must make decisions around the clock.