Ukraine could strike Russia with its own ballistic missiles within 3-6 months – Fedorov

Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov revealed to CBS News on August 16 that Ukraine could potentially strike Russia with their own domestically produced ballistic missiles within three to six months. Fedorov expressed confidence in Ukraine's ability to launch a ballistic missile towards Russia by the end of the year.

He emphasized the importance of staying ahead technologically, stating that Ukraine must make decisions around the clock. Although Ukraine has been relying on long-range drones and cruise missiles to strike deep into Russian territory, these weapons are slower and easier to intercept once detected. Russia has extensively used ballistic missiles to strike Ukraine, which Ukraine's air defenses are unable to intercept.

In June, Fire Point, a Ukrainian defense company, tested a ballistic missile that could allow Ukraine to respond to Russian strikes. Denys Shtilerman, Fire Point's chief designer and co-owner, stated in June that Ukraine could strike Moscow with domestically produced FP-9 ballistic missiles this summer or early fall. The FP-9 missile has a range of 855 kilometers and carries an 800-kilogram warhead, and a mock-up was unveiled in Poland in April 2026.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hinted at the first combat use of a Ukrainian ballistic missile as early as this fall, though he noted it was too early to discuss large-scale use.