Ukraine’s military intelligence has revealed that Russia is preparing for the final tests of a new ballistic missile capable of striking targets up to 500 miles away, a development that Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, warns could present significant challenges to Ukraine’s already strained air defense systems. This new missile, potentially featuring advanced maneuverability, could complicate interception efforts, requiring more sophisticated defenses, and could also be produced in larger numbers or at a lower cost. Karako suggests this development aligns with a global trend towards missiles with terminal maneuvering capabilities, moving away from purely ballistic trajectories to include ‘end game surprises’ that make them harder to track and intercept. Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence estimates that Russia plans to complete these final tests by the end of the year, with potential live-fire demonstrations targeting western Ukraine, a practice Karako notes is not uncommon during wartime. This missile’s range falls into a category previously prohibited by the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which banned missiles between 310 and 3,400 miles, a treaty the U.S. withdrew from in 2019 due to alleged Russian violations. The ongoing missile production and deployment by Russia, which has reportedly increased to 110%-120% of monthly targets, puts immense pressure on Ukraine’s air defense needs, as highlighted by President Zelenskyy’s urgent calls for more interceptor missiles to counter the daily barrage.
Adapted from: Latest World News on Fox News
