Military — 2026-08-17

Ukraine Could Deploy Its Own Ballistic Missiles Against Russia by Year-End, Digital Transformation Minister Fedorov Tells CBS

BLUFUkraine will likely conduct its first domestically produced ballistic missile strike on Russian territory by year-end 2026, compelling Russian air defenses to plan against a faster, harder-to-intercept threat class.

Fedorov, who was ousted as Ukraine's defense minister in mid-July amid what he described as an irresolvable feud with military chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, told CBS News on Sunday that Ukraine's ballistic missile program accelerated during his tenure and that Ukraine could strike Russia with domestically produced ballistic missiles within three to six months 123. He said he expects a Ukrainian ballistic missile to be launched against Russia before year's end 1. Ukrainian manufacturer Fire Point tested a ballistic missile in June, part of Kyiv's effort to expand a domestic long-range arsenal that has so far relied mainly on long-range drones and cruise missiles 13. The Jerusalem Post reported Ukraine faces a persistent interceptor shortage against Russian ballistic missiles, with Ukrainian air defenses intercepting none of the missiles Russia fired at the country Sunday evening; President Zelensky said Ukraine has only about 1% of the interceptors it needs, with 5% sufficient to get through winter and 10% enough to destroy incoming Russian ballistic missiles 3.

Analysis
Ukraine's ballistic missile program, accelerated under Fedorov's tenure and evidenced by Fire Point's June test, will likely produce Ukraine's first confirmed ballistic strike on Russian territory by year-end, ending Kyiv's reliance on drones and cruise missiles alone for deep strike and pushing Russian air defenses to plan against a faster, harder-to-intercept threat. Confidence is low: the claim rests on a single CBS interview, with Kyiv Independent and The Jerusalem Post amplifying rather than corroborating it, and no independent test or range disclosure confirms the timeline. Fedorov's account may reflect an ousted official reasserting relevance amid protests demanding his reinstatement rather than an authoritative program update. Confirmation would mark Ukraine's shift to indigenous ballistic deep-strike capability and shape Western decisions on strike-enabling technology transfers; absent that, Ukraine's severe interceptor shortage remains the more urgent gap for allied planners.

3 sources

Ukraine could use its own ballistic missiles against Russia by year-end, Fedorov tells CBS News - Kyiv Independent
Ukraine could strike Russia with domestic ballistic missiles in 3 to 6 months, says Ukraine's former defense minister - CBS News
Ukraine might launch its own ballistic missiles in less than a year - The Jerusalem Post