Click to see full-size image. (Fire Point\Telegram)
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on October 1 that Ukraine had used its domestically developed FP-7 tactical ballistic missile in combat for the first time.
“Ukrainian tactical ballistic weaponry. FP-7. First combat use. Thank you for the result. Next – production. Glory to Ukraine!” Zelenskyy wrote on X, attaching a video of the missile launch.
Zelenskyy did not specify when or where the missile was launched, what target it was used against or whether it reached its intended target.
Notably, there were no reports from Russia confirming any ballistic missile impact or saying that the missile had been intercepted. This raises some questions about the claims made by the Ukrainian president.
The FP-7 is being developed by Ukrainian defense company Fire Point as a ground-launched ballistic missile. The company currently lists a range of up to 200 kilometers, a payload of up to 150 kilograms, a maximum speed of 1,500 meters per second, an operational ceiling of up to 65 kilometers and a stated accuracy of 14 meters.
The missile has previously been described as drawing on the aerodynamic configuration of the Soviet 48N6 interceptor used by Soviet S-300 air defense systems.
Fire Point is also developing the larger FP-9 ballistic missile, which is intended for longer-range strikes. The company says the FP-9 can carry up to 800 kilograms and has a range of up to 850 kilometers, with a maximum speed of 2,300 meters per second, a stated accuracy of 20 meters and a flight altitude of up to 70 kilometers.
The FP-7 has been undergoing testing throughout 2026. Fire Point chief executive Iryna Terekh said in August that the missile was nearing combat use, while the company has separately presented the FP-9 as a larger system still under development.
These ballistic missiles, especially the FP-9, pose a credible threat. However, Russia already has advanced anti-ballistic missile capabilities.
Another major hurdle for Ukraine’s missile program is Russia’s deep-strike capabilities. Last year, the Russian military and intelligence services succeeded in stalling a Ukrainian project to mass-produce the Sapsan, a tactical ballistic missile with a range of 700 kilometers and a warhead weighing 480 kilograms, following a series of strikes that wiped out production facilities.
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i always thought that the average american is the dumbest human on earth. but now i think that the average european is the dumbest: they finance a corrupted, fascist dictatorship (aka ukraine) to “win” a war against a country that has the largest and most modern nuclear arsenal on the planet. no country (and not even the usa) can “win” a war against the russians. for more than 12 years the european tax payers are investing their last tax euros and their last saving to finance a loser.
ukraine never discusses counter attacks when it launches missile and drone attacks on russia. return of wonder weapons ! should nato send more challenger tanks ?
russia is the testing ground for our missiles