Ukraine uses FP-7 ballistic missile in combat against Russia for the first time

Ukraine used its FP-7 tactical ballistic missile in combat for the first time, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday.

“Ukrainian tactical ballistic missile FP-7. First combat use. Thank you for the result. More production,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

He did not say where the FP-7 was used in combat or against which target.

Russia frequently uses ballistic missiles in attacks on Ukrainian targets, and Ukraine has seen the development of its own tactical ballistic missiles as an important element in securing its defence needs after four and a half years of conflict with Moscow.

The need for effective interception of ballistic missiles has intensified, as Kyiv prepares for a sustained Russian attack in the coming winter. Missile production in Ukraine is far behind that of Russia.

Zelensky praised the results of tactical ballistic missile tests earlier this year, saying they showed good potential for their use by the military.

Ukrainian military analysts describe the FP-7 as a short-range missile with a range of around 200 kilometres.

The missile’s manufacturer, Fire Point, says it is being developed as a ballistic interceptor within the European missile defence programme Freyja, launched this year.

Military analysts have compared the FP-7 to the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System, or ATACMS, some of which have already been transferred to Ukraine. But the FP-7, which has undergone accelerated development to counter the Russian threat, is significantly cheaper.

Fire Point is also developing an FP-9 missile with a range of up to 850 kilometres, which company officials say should be ready by the end of the year.

Analysts suggest that the deployment of both missiles would enable Ukraine to strike Russian missile launch and production sites and to exert pressure on Moscow’s war infrastructure.

Ukraine and key Western allies announced an air defence coalition in July to continue with the Freyja project, aimed at jointly developing a cheaper alternative to the U.S. Patriot system.

Ukraine wants a prototype for the European Freyja anti-ballistic system to be ready in the first half of next year, Davyd Aloian, deputy secretary of Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council, said in July.