Ukraine could use its own ballistic missiles against Russia by year-end, Fedorov tells CBS News
"We need to defeat Russia in every technological cycle, and we have to make decisions 24/7," the former defense minister said in an interview published on Aug. 16.
Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov asserted on August 16 that Ukraine could employ its own ballistic missiles to target Russia by the year's end. Fedorov, who played a pivotal role in shaping Ukraine's innovative strategy that leveraged drones, unmanned ground systems, and other technologies to counterbalance Russia's edge in manpower and conventional weaponry, expressed this sentiment during an interview with CBS News.
He emphasized the necessity of defeating Russia across all technological domains and highlighted the rapid advancements in both nations' capabilities. Despite Ukraine's current reliance on long-range drones and cruise missiles for deep strikes against Russian military and industrial targets, ballistic missiles offer a faster and potentially harder-to-defend option for long-range attacks.
Russia, conversely, has a history of launching ballistic missiles against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure, posing a significant challenge to Ukraine's air defenses due to the difficulty in intercepting such weapons. Ukrainian defense manufacturer Fire Point tested a ballistic missile in June, aligning with Kyiv's broader initiative to bolster its domestically produced long-range arsenal.
Fedorov, who credited his role in accelerating Ukraine's ballistic missile program during his tenure, predicted that Ukraine would launch a ballistic missile against Russia before the year concludes. The dismissal of Fedorov in mid-July, amid reported tensions with Commander-in-Chief Oleksandr Syrskyi, sparked protests involving thousands across Ukraine.
Over a month later, demonstrators returned to Kyiv on August 16, marching through the city to demand his reinstatement. The protests coincide with the Ukrainian parliament's return from its summer break on August 18, as they await official confirmation of whether President Volodymyr Zelensky will nominate acting Defense Minister Yevhen Khmara to fill the position.
Fedorov, when questioned about the reasons for his dismissal, declined to elaborate, stating, "I really don't want to talk to the American audience about why." He stressed that Ukraine will persist in its fight, acknowledging the importance of democratic values and the freedoms the nation is defending in its war against Russia. Fedorov did not rule out the possibility of returning to government, expressing that his future work would be focused on ending the war and rebuilding Ukraine.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
