Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that the domestically produced FP-9 ballistic missile, which is capable of targeting locations as distant as Moscow, will become operational this autumn. This announcement was made during an interview with Reuters, where Zelensky emphasized the importance of the missile system for Ukraine’s ongoing defense efforts.
Following the recent combat debut of the FP-7 tactical ballistic missile, Zelensky reached out to the Ukrainian defense manufacturer Fire Point, urging them to expedite the final stages of the FP-9’s development. “I told them: where is my FP-9? We need the FP-9. And the FP-9 will be [ready] this autumn, I am confident,” he stated.
As part of its strategy to combat escalating aerial assaults from Russia, particularly as winter approaches, Ukraine plans to intensify its precision strikes on Russian oil refineries. Zelensky cited intelligence suggesting that Russian President Vladimir Putin has approved an operational directive that broadens attacks on civilian infrastructure, targeting roads, transportation links, schools, and hospitals in an effort to compel civilians to evacuate urban areas.
“We have seen the documents and we know that they permit attacks on infrastructure, logistics, roads, schools, hospitals to force people to leave the capital, to leave different cities. This is the goal of the operation,” he explained, connecting this shift to mounting pressures on Russian forces in frontline combat and personnel losses in the Donbas region.
Despite the heightened tensions and the complex military dynamics, Zelensky underscored that Ukraine’s responses will not mirror the indiscriminate nature of Russian attacks. “We must react in any possible way. To their attacks on our energy sector, we must respond with strikes against their energy sector. Above all – on oil refineries: that is what provides them money for this war. But we will certainly not, as they do, strike any civilian facilities,” he noted.
Recent Military Engagements
In confirmation of Ukraine’s active military engagement, Zelensky revealed that Ukrainian forces conducted successful long-range strikes in the early hours of Saturday, October 3. These operations targeted Russian Iskander missile launcher positions and personnel located in the Bryansk and Samara regions.
“Over the past 24 hours, our long-range capability worked effectively against facilities operating for the aggressor’s war machine,” he stated via social media. He also mentioned that Ukrainian strikes had new outcomes in the Black Sea region, although he opted not to disclose specific military details.
This recent action is part of a sustained campaign by Ukrainian forces, which focuses on disrupting Russian logistics, air surveillance, and missile batteries situated within Russian border territories.
Advancements in Missile Technology
The operational timeline for the FP-9 missile follows the initial combat deployment of the FP-7, which took place on October 1. The FP-7, developed by Fire Point, is equipped with a 150-kilogram warhead and has an operational range of about 200 to 250 kilometers. This missile family has been compared to the United States’ Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) by Fire Point’s founder and chief designer, Denys Shtilerman, due to its cost-effectiveness facilitated by domestic production.
Fire Point announced the development of both the FP-7 and FP-9 in September of 2025 and conducted initial flight tests of the FP-7 in February of the following year. Prior to its deployment, it went through approximately 15 test launches and obtained final certifications from the Ministry of Defense, as confirmed by Fire Point’s CEO Iryna Terekh.
In addition to manufacturing these missile systems, Fire Point plays a pivotal role in the European FREYJA initiative, which began in July and includes nine partner nations aimed at developing affordable ballistic missile interceptors. The company is currently working on the FP-7.X variant designed for high-speed interception, with production costs targeted to remain below €1 million ($1.2 million), in an effort to reduce reliance on US-supplied Patriot systems before planned operational tests in 2027.
