Russia plans final test of new ballistic missile with 800-kilometer range by end of 2026, Ukraine's military intelligence says

Ukraine's military intelligence agency, HUR, has warned that Russia plans to carry out a final test of a new ballistic missile capable of reaching up to 800 kilometers (approximately 500 miles) by the end of 2026. This information was revealed during a meeting with NATO member states on September 8. The missile's development comes amid Russia's ongoing targeting of Ukrainian cities with ballistic missiles, which have a critically limited supply of interceptors.

Ukraine largely depends on international partners for such systems, as its own missile programs are still in development.

Skibitskyi, the deputy head of HUR, suggested that Russia might aim to strike targets within western Ukraine during these missile tests. The ultimate goal, he stated, is to escalate missile and drone attacks to induce a socioeconomic crisis in Ukraine. He also appealed to Ukraine's allies to tighten sanctions to restrict Russia's access to foreign components, particularly for its long-range weapons.

In recent weeks, Russia has launched relentless attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, employing both ballistic missiles and a large number of drones. These strikes have resulted in numerous civilian casualties and prompted President Volodymyr Zelensky to introduce a new air alert system. Under this system, alerts are categorized into two levels: yellow for drone threats and red for incoming missiles and large-scale combined attacks.

Furthermore, HUR reported that its cyber specialists had infiltrated the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, a state-run research and design institute responsible for developing Russia's missile systems and military satellite communications. This breach granted access to the networks of 2,648 employees, including the institute's chief executive, retired lieutenant general Sergei Ponomaryov.

The institute is involved in the development of various missiles, including the Yars and Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missiles, the submarine-launched Bulava, and the Oreshnik system. Additionally, it is working on a rapid launch system for military satellites in low Earth orbit, ranging between 160 and 2,000 kilometers (100 to 1,200 miles) above the Earth's surface.

Russia is also accelerating the deployment of its Rassvet satellite communications system, a self-sufficient alternative to Starlink, as per Skibitskyi's statement on August 10.