Click to see full-size image. (Telegram)
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on July 1 that its air defenses intercepted a “long-range operational-tactical missile,” sparking speculations about a failed operational test of a ballistic missile currently in development by Ukraine.
“Air defense systems shot down seven guided aerial bombs, one long-range operational-tactical missile, and 602 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles,” the ministry said in its daily briefing, which covers the last 24 hours.
The ministry didn’t provide any details on the type of the missile, how it was intercepted, or where exactly. Nevertheless, the announcement appears to be linked to a successful high altitude interception that was reported in the Moscow region just a day earlier.
The interception took place far outside the capital, with several Russian news channel on Telegram reporting at the time that an S-300 or S-400 long-range air defense systems took down a ballistic missile. Photos showing the aftermath of the interception were also shared. There were no reports of casualties.
Click to see full-size image. (Telegram)
Ukrainian media, from its side, speculated that the ballistic missile intercepted over Moscow was the FP-9 currently in development by Fire Point.
The company, which first unveiled the missile last year, claims that it has a range of 855 kilometers, a speed of 2,200 meters per second, and a warhead weighing up to 800 kilogram. It also said that the missile can reach an altitude of 70 kilometers and has an accuracy of 20 meters.
Last week, Ukrainian media reported that the FP-9 was undergoing the final phase of engine trails ahead of its first operational tests.
Denys Shtilerman, co-founder and chief designer of Fire Point, even openly stated in an interview that the intention was to carry out the first test launches against Moscow.
The suspected missile test represents a major escalation by Ukraine. At the same time, the incident demonstrated that air defenses in Moscow are more than capable of dealing with such a threat. In any case, what happened will likely trigger a response by Russia.
Last year, the Russian military and intelligence 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 kg.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com