Ukraine set to deploy ballistic missile capable of reaching Moskva

President Zelensky announced that the domestically produced FP-9 ballistic missile, advertised to have a range capable of reaching Moskva, will be combat-ready this autumn.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed in a reuters interview published on october 3 that the domestically produced FP-9 ballistic missile is expected to be combat-ready this autumn. Zelensky stated he had contacted the arms manufacturer Fire Point, urging them to accelerate the missile's development. "I asked them, 'where is my FP-9?'" Zelensky recounted, "We need the FP-9, and I am certain it will be ready this autumn".

This announcement followed Zelensky's statement on october 1 that the FP-7 ballistic missile, also developed by Fire Point, had seen its first combat deployment. He released a video showing the missile launching at night, though specific details about the firing time and target were not disclosed.

From left: Ukraine's domestically developed FP-7 and FP-9 ballistic missiles. Photo: *Fire Point*

The FP-7 missile is advertised with a range of 250 km, a maximum speed of nearly 5,400 km/h, and a 200 kg warhead. Its design is based on the 48N6 missile, developed by the Soviet Union in the late 1980s for the S-300PM-1 air defense system.

The FP-9 missile surpasses the FP-7 in size, speed, and range. Fire Point claims this ballistic missile model has a velocity of 7,920 km/h, can carry an 800 kg warhead, and achieves a range of 855 km. This range is sufficient to reach Russia's capital, Moskva. Ukraine has increased unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks on targets in Moskva in recent months, but these weapons are believed to lack the speed and destructive power of ballistic missiles.

In the same reuters interview, President Zelensky disclosed that Ukrainian intelligence had obtained documents indicating Russia issued a "new doctrine" for military attacks. This doctrine reportedly expands "civilian targets" that could be attacked before the upcoming winter. "We have seen the documents and know that they allow them to attack infrastructure, logistics systems, and especially cities, villages, roads, schools, hospitals, everywhere", Zelensky explained. He added, "The campaign's objective is to exert pressure to force people to leave the capital and other cities".

The FP-7 ballistic missile fires in a video released on october 1. Video: *X/ZelenskyyUa*

According to the Ukrainian leader, Russia's change in attack policy comes as its military loses ground in a key frontline area and suffers increasing casualties. He stated that Ukraine had recaptured approximately 140 km2 of territory in the Donbass region during the ongoing counteroffensive named Vivaldi. President Zelensky affirmed that Ukraine would respond to Russia's tactical changes but would not indiscriminately target civilian infrastructure. "They attack our energy sector, and we also retaliate against their energy industry", he stated. "Primarily, oil refineries and similar facilities, which provide them with funds to wage war".

Russian officials have not commented on this information. However, in a statement on october 3 urging foreign citizens to leave Kyiv, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Moskva would continue systematic attacks on military facilities in Ukraine's capital and other cities, in retaliation for enemy strikes.