Ukraine’s Ballistic Missile Ambitions: When Will They Be Able to Strike Russia?.

Ukraine’s Push to Develop Ballistic Missiles

According to Espreso.tv: Ukraine is actively working on building its own ballistic missiles and air defense systems. Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov has announced the development of domestically produced ballistic weapons capable of hitting targets inside Russia. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also confirmed on May 2, 2025, that efforts to accelerate the creation of these missiles are underway. However, achieving serial production remains a major challenge.

Manufacturing such systems from scratch—or under license—is a long-term process. For context, setting up production lines in Germany typically takes around two years. In June 2026, aviation expert Romanenko highlighted progress in Ukraine’s ballistic missile program, stressing its critical role for national security.

Outlook and Obstacles

Analysts suggest that initial breakthroughs could occur as early as this year. According to Vadym Kushnikov,

“In the short term, some progress is possible within 2026. But a steady supply of this class of systems is a planning horizon of several years.”

Building ballistic missiles is a key step in strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities, especially given the ongoing aggression from Russia. Progress in this area could significantly boost the country’s military power, but it requires:

• investment
• technological support
• time

This underscores the need for strategic planning in Ukraine’s defense policy.