War

Ukraine has successfully carried out test launches of a newly developed domestically produced ballistic missile, according to statements by former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov and reports from the defense publication Militarnyi.Fedorov said the missile project was overseen by Ukraine's Ministry of Defense and that the latest test was conducted on July 14, the same day the Ukrainian government was dismissed.While he did not reveal the missile's name or provide technical details, Fedorov outlined several key improvements achieved during its development."We fundamentally revised the technical specifications, significantly improved the missile's accuracy, and reduced its cost by 30%," he said.The identity of the missile remains undisclosed. However, analysts from Militarnyi believe the system is unlikely to be the FP-7 or FP-9 ballistic missile developed by Fire Point.The publication noted that the FP-9 program is reportedly still awaiting final testing of its solid-fuel rocket motor before completing its development process.
Instead, defense analysts suggested that Fedorov's comments may refer to the Sapsan operational-tactical missile system, which entered serial production in 2025 and has been one of Ukraine's priority missile programs.Ukraine has steadily expanded its domestic missile industry over the past year. In March, the country's Defense Procurement Agency signed long-term contracts with Ukrainian manufacturers covering both cruise and ballistic missiles, with at least part of the first deliveries expected later this year.Missile development accelerated considerably during the second half of 2025, with work continuing not only on the Sapsan system but also on modernization of the Vilkha multiple-launch rocket system and several other domestic weapons projects.President Volodymyr Zelensky previously announced that Ukraine was preparing for large-scale production of the Sapsan ballistic missile. In June 2025, he said the country was actively laying the groundwork for mass manufacturing of the domestically designed system.Although officials have not confirmed which missile was tested this week, the latest launch marks another step in Ukraine's effort to expand its indigenous missile capabilities and strengthen domestic defense production.