Zelensky: Ukrainian ballistic missiles will strike Russia this autumn

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed on August 8 that ballistic missiles of Ukrainian design could be used against Russia for the first time within two to three months.

Zelensky said in an interview with Ukraine’s state television marathon that the FP7 ballistic missile, developed by Ukrainian company Fire Point, is undergoing certification at the Ministry of Defense — a process expected to be completed within a few weeks. The company’s CEO, Iryna Terekh, told Reuters on August 4 that the FP7 has completed around 15 test launches and could enter combat service in early autumn 2026. A larger variant — the FP9, believed to be capable of reaching Moscow — is planned for deployment in late autumn.

“As for their large-scale use — I cannot say, because some things do not depend on Ukraine,” Zelensky noted, adding that foreign components are needed for production, just as Russian ballistic missiles use imported parts despite Western sanctions.

In addition to strike missiles, Fire Point is developing the Freyja program — a missile defense system based on a high-speed variant of the FP7 — in cooperation with nine European partner countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. The company plans to carry out its first successful ballistic missile intercept by mid-2027. Zelensky also mentioned cooperation with Italian company Leonardo as part of a broader European ballistic missile program, according to La Voce di New York.

Results of the 40-day strike campaign

Zelensky said he was “satisfied” with the results of a concluded 40-day campaign of deep strikes against Russian logistical infrastructure, which he said caused damage worth one trillion rubles — approximately €10.6 billion. The operation, which began in late June, targeted more than 100 strategic sites across Russia, including oil refineries, air bases, and at least 20 warehouses belonging to Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer.

According to Ukrainian officials, one of the campaign’s goals was to make ordinary Russians feel the consequences of the war ahead of Russia’s general elections scheduled for September 18–20.

Fire Point scandals

Despite the company’s growing military role, Fire Point remains at the center of controversy. In August 2025, the Kyiv Independent published an investigation identifying possible ties between the company and Timur Mindich — a close associate of Zelensky and one of nine suspects in a corruption case involving Ukraine’s state nuclear agency Energoatom. Both Fire Point and Mindich, who has fled to Israel, deny any connection between them.