UKRAINIAN BALLISTIC MISSILES COULD STRIKE RUSSIA WITHIN SIX MONTHS
Ukraine could begin striking targets inside Russia with domestically produced ballistic missiles within the next three to six months, according to former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.
In an interview with CBS News, Fedorov revealed that a Ukrainian defense company has already tested a ballistic missile. This suggests the project has moved beyond the design stage, although Ukraine must still demonstrate that the weapon can be produced reliably and in meaningful numbers.
Ukraine has received American ATACMS tactical ballistic missiles, but only in limited quantities and without the ability to manufacture replacements. No Western partner has provided Ukraine with the production capacity needed to create an independent ballistic arsenal comparable to Russia’s Iskander or the North Korean KN-23 missiles now being used against Ukrainian cities.
Ukraine was therefore forced to build its own.
A domestically produced ballistic missile would significantly change the deep-strike campaign. Ballistic weapons reach their targets much faster than drones or cruise missiles, follow more difficult interception profiles and could threaten heavily defended Russian airfields, command centers and military-industrial facilities.
Most importantly, Ukraine would control its own production, targeting and deployment—without depending upon limited foreign stockpiles or waiting for another country’s permission.