Ukraine Develops Missile Capable of Reaching Moscow

Ukrainian defense company Fire Point is close to testing its own FP-9 ballistic missile, which its developers say could strike targets deep inside Russia, including Moscow, the Unian news agency reported.

Chief designer Denis Shtilerman said the company plans to reach an agreement with Denmark on the production of rocket engines. The engine remains the final key component still awaiting successful testing.

Tests are scheduled for later this month and are expected to be followed by trial flights. Fire Point is also expanding production capacity and preparing several prototypes at once in an effort to accelerate development.

Shtilerman indicated that the missiles could see their first deployment as soon as this summer or early fall.

Ukrainian officials have cautioned, however, that domestic ballistic missiles alone would not change the course of the war.

(mja)