There are increasing signs that Ukraine may have begun testing its own domestically developed ballistic missile in actual combat conditions. This suggestion comes from Defense Express expert Valerii Riabykh, who alluded to a recent strike on russian Iskander missile system in russia’s Bryansk region. According to Valerii Riabykh, the weapon used in this operation might not have been the U.S.-supplied HIMARS munition, as many initially assumed.
Valerii Riabykh pointed out that in early May there was a noticeable uptick in the number of destroyed russian command posts. He linked this trend to a potentially broader development in Ukraine's military capabilities. Specifically, he mentioned the destruction of the Iskander system as a telling example, suggesting that such precise, high-impact strikes indicate a new level of operational reach for Ukrainian forces.
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These recent strikes imply that Ukraine has not only acquired the necessary reconnaissance and targeting tools for long-range precision operations but may also now possess new offensive assets, particularly a domestic ballistic missile system. The implication is that Ukraine may no longer be solely reliant on Western-supplied systems for strategic deep strikes.
While Valerii Riabykh did not disclose any specific technical details, he noted that the pattern of strikes suggests the introduction of a new type of weaponry. He emphasized that the Ukrainian forces may already be conducting real-world combat trials of this new missile system. This would mark a major step forward for Ukraine’s defense industry, which has been rapidly innovating since the start of the full-scale invasion.
Over the past year, there have been several instances where analysts and observers were unable to clearly identify what kind of weapon was used in successful long-range strikes inside russian territory. This ambiguity, Valerii Riabykh argues, might have been the result of new systems being tested discreetly before being acknowledged publicly.
If confirmed, Ukraine’s ability to field and test its own ballistic missiles could significantly alter the strategic balance in the region. Such a capability would allow Kyiv to strike high-value military targets deep within russia without needing to rely on external munitions. It would also complicate russian defense planning and expose more vulnerabilities in its rear areas.
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