Ukraine is scaling up its missile program for deep strikes into Russia’s rear in 2026
The growing ability of Ukraine to carry out long-range strikes is becoming a defining factor of a new stage of the war, forcing Russia to disperse its air defense assets to protect rear regions.
Forbes notes that thanks to reduced production costs and the introduction of new developments, such as the heavy Flamingo missile, Kyiv has gained the ability to systematically strike strategic targets at distances of more than 1,400 kilometers. The first confirmed success on this scale was the strike on the missile factory in Votkinsk, which demonstrated the ability of Ukrainian weapons to destroy the enemy’s industrial base.
Unlike previous stages, when the main emphasis was placed on light drones with limited warheads, Ukraine’s modern missile program is focused on causing critical structural damage to Russia’s logistics chains. In addition to modernizing the Neptune anti-ship missiles, Ukrainian companies are actively experimenting with ballistic designs, investing millions of dollars in rapid innovation cycles. According to Western analysts, the mass production of long-range weapons could undermine the pace of Russia’s weapons replenishment and force Moscow to withdraw scarce air defense systems from the front line.
Russia’s vast territory is becoming its vulnerability, as it is practically impossible to protect all industrial and energy centers from combined drone and missile attacks. Retired U.S. General David Petraeus estimates the potential of Ukrainian production at seven million drones per year, which together with new missiles creates unprecedented pressure on Russian defense infrastructure. Such an asymmetric approach allows Ukraine to effectively exhaust the military-economic potential of the aggressor, making deep strikes a key instrument of strategy in 2026.
The Ukrainian manufacturer Fire Point, known for developing the Flamingo cruise missile, has conducted successful tests of the FP-7 ballistic missile.
The Ukrainian defense company Fire Point is completing preparations for the adoption of the new FP-7 and FP-9 ballistic missiles into service.
