Full Breakdown
Ukraine Aims to Deploy Domestic Ballistic Missiles Against Russia Within Months
8/17/2026, 8:26:08 PM
Core Development Plan
Former defence minister Mykhailo Fedorov told CBS News that Ukraine expects to field a domestically-produced ballistic missile capable of striking targets inside Russia within the next three to six months, with an operational launch anticipated before the end of the calendar year.
Background & Context
Since the start of the war, Kyiv has relied primarily on inexpensive long-range drones and cruise missiles for deep strikes against Russian military and industrial sites. Those systems are slower and more vulnerable to detection than ballistic missiles. Russia, in turn, has repeatedly used ballistic missiles against Ukrainian cities, a threat that Ukraine’s air-defence network has struggled to intercept.
The defence-industry firm Fire Point conducted a test launch of a ballistic missile in June, marking the first demonstrable step toward a home-grown long-range strike capability. Fedorov, who oversaw the expansion of Ukraine’s drone programme, said the missile programme accelerated during his tenure as defence minister.
In mid-July, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy dismissed Fedorov amid a reported clash with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi. The dismissal triggered street protests involving thousands of citizens demanding his reinstatement. Demonstrations continued into mid-August, reflecting public support for the former minister’s technological strategy.
Data & Statistics
- Timeline: 3–6 months to operational capability; launch expected before year-end (attributed to Fedorov).
- Testing: Fire Point’s missile test conducted in June (source: multiple reports).
- Strike Frequency: Ukrainian deep strikes into Russian territory have reportedly increased tenfold since Fedorov’s tenure began.
Official Statements & Responses
He added that, regardless of the dismissal, Ukraine will continue to fight.
President Zelenskyy linked the public protests to Ukrainian citizens’ commitment to democratic values and the freedoms defended in the war. He also highlighted recent Ukrainian attacks on Russian facilities, including a strike on a Russian space-agency site in Samara using domestically produced Flamingo missiles.
Ukrainian officials have repeatedly called for additional air-defence interceptors, noting a shortfall in Patriot systems needed to counter Russian ballistic missiles. A White House official indicated that the Pentagon is exploring pathways for future defence-industrial cooperation, though no specific agreements have been finalized.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We need to defeat Russia in every technological cycle, and we have to make decisions 24/7,” — Mykhailo Fedorov, former defense minister
- “We need to defeat Russia in every technological cycle.” — Mykhailo Fedorov, former defense minister
- “I hope that I will get it,” — Volodymyr Zelensky, president
- “Wherever the Russians can reach with their ballistic missiles, they strike civilian infrastructure,” — Volodymyr Zelensky, president
What’s Next
Ukraine’s defence ministry plans to field the ballistic missile within the stated three-to-six-month window, pending successful further testing and production scaling. The timeline coincides with ongoing requests for additional interceptor systems to protect against Russian ballistic attacks. No concrete deployment date beyond the year-end estimate has been confirmed, and the success of the programme will depend on continued industrial capacity and external support.
