Russia has claimed that Ukraine may have carried out its first-ever combat launch of a domestically developed ballistic missile, potentially marking a major milestone in Kyiv’s efforts to build an indigenous long-range strike capability.According to a Bloomberg report, the Russian defence ministry said the missile was intercepted alongside seven guided bombs and 602 fixed-wing drones. The report noted that the ministry did not disclose the type of missile involved, while Ukraine has remained silent on the claim.Bloomberg added that if confirmed, it would represent the first known combat use of a Ukrainian ballistic missile.The claim comes just days after Ukrainian defence company Fire Point announced that its FP-9 ballistic missile was approaching the flight-testing phase.Speaking in June, the company’s chief designer Denys Shtilerman said the missile could begin flight tests this summer or by early autumn after the completion of engine development. The FP-9 is being developed as a long-range, ground-launched ballistic missile capable of striking targets deep inside Russian territory.According to Fire Point, the FP-9 is designed to have a range of up to 850 kilometres, allowing it to target military infrastructure far beyond the front line.The missile is expected to carry an 800-kilogram warhead, travel at speeds of around 2,200 metres per second (over Mach 6), reach an altitude of up to 70 kilometres, and achieve an accuracy of around 20 metres CEP.The system is intended for strikes against command centres, logistics hubs, air bases and other high-value military targets.While there is no independent confirmation that the missile intercepted by Russia was the FP-9 or that Ukraine has operationally deployed a domestically developed ballistic missile.Though the claim highlights Kyiv’s accelerating efforts to expand its indigenous missile arsenal. If the FP-9 enters service as planned, it could significantly enhance Ukraine’s ability to conduct long-range precision strikes deep inside Russian territory, marking a new phase in the evolving missile race between the two countries.
