Long-Range FP-9 Missile Ready This Fall, Zelensky Says

Key Points:

• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the domestically developed FP-9 ballistic missile, capable of reaching targets including Moscow, will be operational by this fall, following the recent combat debut of the shorter-range FP-7 missile.
• Zelensky revealed plans to intensify precision strikes against Russian oil refineries in response to Moscow’s expanded aerial campaign targeting civilian infrastructure to force evacuations from Kyiv and other cities.
• Intelligence indicates Russian President Vladimir Putin approved directives to target civilian infrastructure such as roads, schools, and hospitals, aiming to pressure Ukrainian urban populations amid frontline losses in the Donbas.
• Ukrainian forces conducted long-range strikes on Oct. 3 against Russian missile launcher positions in the Bryansk and Samara regions, as part of ongoing operations targeting Russian logistics and military assets near the border.
• The FP-7 and FP-9 missiles are produced by Ukrainian defense manufacturer Fire Point, which also leads the European FREYJA initiative to develop low-cost ballistic missile interceptors with nine partner nations.