Russia’s Missile Developments Raise Concerns for Ukrainian Defense

Moscow is set to conduct a final test of a new ballistic missile, capable of reaching hundreds of miles and maneuvering in ways that might challenge Ukraine’s air defenses, according to a defense analyst.

Kyiv military officials indicated Russia may perform the test soon, possibly including live-fire strikes.

Russia plans to conduct final tests of a new type of ballistic missile with a range of up to 800 km by the end of this year, Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy head of the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, stated.

Tom Karako from the Center for Strategic and International Studies noted that if the missile has advanced maneuverability, Ukraine would need sophisticated interceptors. The missile’s terminal maneuvers might surprise defenders by altering its trajectory.

Developments are tied to precision-guided munitions trends, moving away from unguided weapons. Karako mentioned the U.S. arsenal’s shift towards guided paths for increased precision.

Russia is expected to perform operational testing in Ukraine, which is common in wartime.

Karako warned the missile could fall into ranges once banned by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty of 1987, a pact from which the U.S. withdrew in 2019 due to alleged Russian violations. He explained that Russia’s actions fill gaps left by the treaty.

Missiles have been a significant part of Russia’s campaign against Ukraine since 2022, with missile production reportedly exceeding targets. From the start of 2026, Russia fired numerous missiles at Ukraine.

Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy mentioned the strain on air defenses, requesting between 100 and 120 interceptor missiles for the upcoming months.

Russia is on a wartime footing, mobilizing their defense industrial base to produce missiles, Karako observed.

Emma Bussey, a writer for Fox News Digital, previously worked at The Telegraph across desks including foreign, politics, news, sport, and culture.