Ukraine efficiently checks its first ballistic missile
Ukraine revealed yesterday it has successfully tested its first ballistic missile – as it launched a second ‘mini-invasion’ of southern Russia.
The country’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, revealed the breakthrough following months of top secret research.
It comes as Russian reports said more than 500 Ukraine troops had attempted to cross the border into the Bolgorod region.
Bolgorod is adjacent to Kursk, where thousands of Ukrainian troops have taken 500 square miles of territory, captured 100 Russian settlements and seized 594 prisoners of war.
Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, revealed it has successfully tested its first ballistic missile – as it launched a second ‘mini-invasion’ of southern Russia
International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi, walks to get in a bus to inspect the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) outside the town of Kurchatov on August 27
A Russian armoured vehicle pictured at the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant
Discussing the landmark project, President Zelensky said: ‘There was a positive test of the first Ukrainian ballistic missile. I congratulate our military production complex on this.’
The details of the ballistic missiles remain a closely guarded secret in Ukraine. However, it is expected to have a range of around 200 miles and may be a development of ballistic missile which was being tested before the conflict, called the Hrim-2. Prior to the Russian invasion, the Hrim-2, also known as the Grom, had been at the prototype phase.
Developing a home-grown long-range missile, capable of striking targets deep inside Russia, would reduce Ukraine’s dependency on Western long-range rockets.
To Mr Zelensky’s chagrin, the US, UK and France continue to put strict caveats on the use of HIMARS, Storm Shadow and SCALP missiles. He likened his attempts to get these restrictions lifted to ‘ping pong’, saying: ‘They [the West] don’t want to talk about it, but I keep bringing it up.’
Achieving a level playing field in long-range capabilities would improve the country’s negotiating position with the Kremlin.
Yesterday, Mr Zelensky predicted the war would end through ‘dialogue’ and announced he would share a fresh peace proposal with allies in September.
Rafael Grossi, during a visit to the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant on August 17
The spread of the conflict into southern Russia is a concern for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), due to the proximity of the Kurchatov nuclear plant. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi (pictured at the plant) said there was a risk of a ‘nuclear incident’
Recently, Ukraine’s hand has been strengthened by its ‘mini-invasion’ of southern Russia. Ukraine attempted to widen this area yesterday, as 200 troops attacked the border crossing at Nekhoteyevka and 300 at Shebekino, both in Bolgorod, according to reports.
However, the spread of the conflict into southern Russia is a concern for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), due to the proximity of the Kurchatov nuclear plant. IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said there was a risk of a ‘nuclear incident’.
Mr Zelensky spoke hours after Russia subjected Ukraine to two nights of missile and drone attacks. More than 200 Kremlin warheads were fired at energy infrastructure targets on Monday and a similar number on Tuesday. At least six people were killed after 15 regions of Ukraine were hit.
Ukraine is at last using Western-provided fighter jets to intercept Russian missiles and drones. Mr Zelensky said the F-16s had produced ‘a very good result’, adding: ‘We don’t have many of them, and we still need to train pilots.’
Ukraine has been promised 79 F-16s by the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Belgium. The first ten arrived earlier this month.
