Ukraine Develops Long-Range Ballistic Missiles to Strike Deep into Russia

Ukraine is actively developing its own ballistic missiles to enhance its strike capabilities against targets deep inside Russian territory and to lessen its dependence on foreign military aid. The tactical ballistic missile FP-7, developed by Ukrainian defense company Fire Point, is currently undergoing certification and could be ready by autumn. This missile has a range of up to 200 kilometers and can carry a 150-kilogram warhead, intended for land targets.

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We don't have the luxury of developing our own direct-hit interceptors for decades.

Iryna Terekh, CEO and chief technology officer of Fire Point, stated that the company is also adapting the FP-7 for use in air defense systems. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the timeline, noting that the widespread use of the missile would also depend on international cooperation, as Ukraine still requires foreign suppliers for certain components. The FP-7 is also part of the European Frey project, a joint initiative with European partners to develop a common ballistic missile defense system.

Fire Point is concurrently developing a larger ballistic missile, the FP-9. This missile is designed to carry an 800-kilogram warhead and possess a range of up to 855 kilometers, potentially enabling strikes near Moscow. The company anticipates the first test of the FP-9 in autumn 2026. This capability would be significant for Ukraine, given the limited supply of interceptors for its existing air defense systems, such as the U.S.-provided Patriots.

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This year we attacked Russia with twice as many drones as she attacked us.

Ukraine currently relies heavily on drones for strikes within Russia, targeting energy infrastructure and logistics. Terekh noted that Ukraine has doubled its drone attacks compared to Russia's this year, indicating a shift towards greater domestic production and utilization of weaponry for offensive operations. Fire Point is also producing drones like the FP-1 (2,300 km range) and FP-2 (700 km range) for these purposes. Terekh highlighted this growing self-sufficiency in developing and producing weapons for strikes on Russian territory as a crucial development since the war's outset.

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This is an important shift from the beginning of the war, as Ukraine can increasingly develop and produce its own weapons for attacks on Russian territory.