Russia Prepares Final Test of 800km Missile as Ukraine Warns It Could Be Fired in Combat
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Sep 14
Russia Prepares Final Test of 800km Missile as Ukraine Warns It Could Be Fired in Combat
2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Sep 14
Summary
Ukraine’s military intelligence says Russia plans to complete tests of a new ballistic missile with a range of up to 800 km by year-end, and could use western Ukraine as a live-fire proving ground.
Defense analyst Tom Karako said the missile may include terminal maneuvering or other guidance features that would make its path less predictable and force Ukraine to use more sophisticated interceptors.
The threat lands as Kyiv says its air defenses are already under strain: Zelenskyy said Ukraine needs 100-120 interceptor missiles for the coming cold months.
Russia’s missile buildup adds to that pressure. Ukrainian intelligence said production of key missile types reached 110%-120% of monthly targets, and Russia fired at least 1,858 missiles at Ukraine from Jan. 1 to Aug. 27.
An 800-km ground-launched missile would sit in the range once banned by the INF Treaty, underscoring broader regional concerns beyond Ukraine, including in Poland, Romania and the Baltics.