Russia’s new ballistic missile could reach western Ukraine—and it may be tested there within months
Russia is building more ballistic missiles as well as longer-ranged ones, part of a push to tip Ukraine into a social and economic crisis, Kyiv's military intelligence says.
Russia intends to test-fire a new ballistic missile before the conclusion of 2026, designed to surpass the range of its current Iskander missiles deployed against Ukraine, according to Ukraine's military intelligence. This intelligence was disclosed at a meeting between Ukraine and NATO on September 8. The proposed missile, capable of reaching up to 800 kilometers (approximately 500 miles), would extend into western Ukraine and challenge the security of Western aid corridors already strained by ongoing ballistic attacks.
Deputy head of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, Vadym Skibitskyi, stated at the meeting that Russian forces might target locations in western Ukraine during these tests. He warned that Moscow is escalating both the output and range of its ballistic missiles to increase their impact and provoke a socio-economic crisis in Ukraine.
Skibitskyi appealed to allies to tighten sanctions until Russia ceases its reliance on foreign components in long-range weapons. The modernized 9M723-2, also known as the Iskander-1000, has a range of up to 550 kilometers, while the older 9M723-1 covers 390 kilometers. An 800-kilometer missile would enable strikes beyond the front lines.
Russia has already tested a longer-range Iskander variant this summer as part of the Bora-M system in a combined missile strike on Kyiv. The missile's enhanced engine and larger launcher have extended its range, according to the Defense Intelligence. Ballistic missiles pose significant challenges for Ukraine to defend against, and Russia has intensified its missile launches in recent months, exceeding production quotas and firing larger salvoes.
Despite substantial losses, Russia persists in its war of attrition, aiming to dismantle Ukrainian statehood. Skibitskyi noted that Russia suffered approximately 43,000 soldiers in August, compared to 39,000 recruits. The General Staff of Russia views further mobilization as the only means to achieve its primary objectives, such as fully occupying the Ukrainian Donbas and seizing the strategic initiative.
The Kremlin plans to mobilize around 600,000 individuals across 2026 and 2027, with half of them by the end of this year, as per Skibitskyi. Additionally, Russia intends to close the Black Sea to Ukraine and involve Belarus in the conflict and hybrid operations against NATO. However, HUR does not currently observe any signs of Russian strike groupings forming in the Black Sea.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
