Ukraine strengthens its missile arsenal

Ukraine is developing new weapons, including a recently unveiled model of a missile capable of reaching a range of 300 kilometers.

Thomas Wanhoff / t-online

Ukraine is developing more and more missiles with the aim of reducing its dependence on foreign deliveries and adapting its equipment to the specific needs of its army. So, last week, President Volodymyr Zelensky presented a series of new military technologies. Although he mentioned a new drone, no details had been provided about it.

However, information has just been revealed about a new missile called Ruta, designed to complement the Palianytsia and Peklo missiles. This missile was developed by Destinus, a start-up founded by Russian engineer Mikhail Kokorich, who fled Russia for Ukraine due to Vladimir Putin’s regime. According to the military website Defense Express, Destinus already supplies equipment capable of hitting targets at a distance of 2000 kilometers. Although no price was given, the Ruta missile would be produced at a lower cost. Initial descriptions also suggest an associated drone which could land using a parachute after a reconnaissance mission.

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Development of this new missile began at the beginning of the year. According to Defense Express, it has a range of 300 kilometers and can be used for reconnaissance missions or attacks, thanks to an explosive warhead that it carries. It is powered by a jet engine.

The prototype was presented for the first time last June at the Eurosatory trade show. Since then, it has passed several tests successfully and should be operational next year. This missile could carry explosive charges weighing up to 10 kilograms and reach a speed of 800 km/hwhich complicates its interception by Russian anti-aircraft defense.

An alternative to Western weapons

Ukraine relies on its own missile developments due to limitations of Western long-range weaponswhich are often supplied in small quantities and come with restrictions on use. The latter, such as the ATACMS missiles of the United States or the Storm Shadow and Scalp cruise missiles of the United Kingdom and France, have however recently seen some of their restrictions relaxed. However, Russia’s stock of missiles and cruise missiles remains significantly higher than that of Ukraine.

During his presentation of the new models, Zelensky announced that the Peklo drone missile, with a range of 700 kilometers, had successfully completed its first combat mission. He also discussed an improved version of the Neptune anti-ship missile.

This missile, designed by Ukraine, was used in April 2022, shortly after the start of the war, to sink the Russian cruiser Moskva. Since this significant event, Ukraine continued to perfect this weapon.

(Translated from German by Tim Boekholt)

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