Ukraine could begin test flights this summer for a ballistic missile capable of hitting targets in Moscow, says the co-founder of a Ukrainian defense company.
Denys Shtilerman, co-founder of the Kyiv-based Fire Point, said the company expects to complete engine testing by the end of June before moving on to flight trials of the FP-9 missile, which is believed to have a range of about 530 miles — well within striking distance of Moscow.
“I expect that this summer, or at the latest in early autumn, we will begin test flights toward Moscow,” Mr. Shtilerman said, according to the Kyiv Post.
Fire Point officials said the FP-9 ballistic missile will be capable of hitting Russia’s strategic infrastructure, including command sites and logistics hubs.
While noting that any decisions on operational targets would be made by Ukrainian military officials, Mr. Shtilerman suggested that strikes on “key symbolic targets” in Moscow could serve as a deterrent against Russia’s continuing attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure, the Kyiv Post reported Monday.
He said Fire Point is preparing for full production of the missiles while testing is continuing, rather than waiting until the project reaches full maturity.
The company plans to manufacture between 10 and 20 missiles for test launching, with production potentially increasing to dozens of units once the weapon receives official approval, according to the Kyiv Post.
Fire Point officials announced last month that it is moving ahead with the construction of a solid rocket fuel production facility in Denmark, with initial operation targeted for 2026.
Solid rocket fuel remains a critical component in several Ukrainian missile systems, including the FP-9 ballistic missile, officials said.
“The facility is intended to support Ukraine’s growing demand for missile propulsion materials amid the ongoing conflict, while also reflecting a broader European effort to expand defense manufacturing capacity beyond national borders,” the company said in a statement.
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