The development of Ukraine’s new long-range weapon is beginning to take shape, with emerging information suggesting that Ukrainian ballistic missile may have a range of 600-700 kilometers.
This range was mentioned by Mykhailo Podolyak, an advisor to the Head of the President’s Office, during an interview with Novyny.Live, where he referred to statements made by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. However, it is important to note that when President Zelensky announced the successful test of domestically produced ballistic missile on August 27, 2024, he did not disclose its range.
Read more: Ukraine Announced Creation of a Ballistic Missile, Is It the Sapsan SRBM or Something Entirely Different?
In August 2023, Volodymyr Zelenskyy had previously announced the successful deployment of Ukrainian long-range weapons with a 700-kilometer range. In November, it was clarified that this weapon was a missile, not a drone, though the specific type, whether cruise or ballistic, was not identified. This information suggests that Ukraine could potentially target significant locations deep within russia. Within the 600-700 kilometer strike range, and accounting for the distance from the border or front line, targets could include Moscow. However, several other strategic targets also fall within this range.
For example, the Engels strategic aviation air base near Saratov, which hosts russian strategic bombers, and the russian Black Sea Fleet base in Novorossiysk, are within reach. The stated range even extends as far as Sochi. Additionally, there are numerous other critical targets within this radius, potentially more strategically significant than striking the Kremlin.
It is worth considering that Mykhailo Podolyak, who later mentioned the Palianytsia missile-drone, which appears to be a jet-powered drone based on his description, may have misspoken. The Palianytsia missile-drone, judging by the video map and the official video cover, is estimated to have a range of about 600-700 kilometers.
However, a speculative assumption could be made that the Palianytsia is indeed a missile-drone with a rocket engine rather than a jet engine as indicated. This assumption raises several questions about the visual representation of the weapon, as the fixed wings suggest that Palianytsia is a subsonic aerial vehicle.
Read more: F-16 Shields Ukraine From Cruise Missiles Better Than Any Ground-Stationed Air Defense System Could
