Ukra Is Developing Its Own Ballistic Missile... and Puna Is Trapped in 'Western Approval'

There have been reports that Ukraine is increasingly putting mainland Russia within range as it moves away from relying on Western missiles to develop its own ballistic missiles.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 22nd local time that Ukraine is accelerating its development of its own ballistic missiles that can strike deep into enemy territory.

It also explained that Ukraine is developing two or more ballistic missiles and has already made progress in development, including one test launch in August.

Ukraine has largely kept the move secret, but officials have recently hinted at trends that such missiles could soon be operational, the WSJ said.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov was also confident last month that "by the end of the year or next year, we will hear that there is a huge missile program."

In response, Representative Hortzherneu also said on TV that the launch of ballistic missiles is imminent and that "both Ukraine and Russia will see concrete results."

When launched, ballistic missiles leave the atmosphere, re-enter, and hit targets, making them difficult to intercept with air defenses and more explosive than other missiles or drones.

The European Policy Analysis Center explained that only about a dozen countries, including the United States and Russia, can produce ballistic missiles on their own.

Earlier, since the 19th, more than 1,000 days have passed since Russia's war of aggression, Ukraine has attacked the Russian mainland by firing US tactical ballistic missiles ATACMS and UK cruise missile Storm Shadow, respectively.

As a result, military tensions increased further as Russia responded with the latest hypersonic intermediate-range ballistic missile "Oresynik" on the 21st.

If Ukraine produces its own ballistic missiles, it could be free from the shackles of using missiles called "Western permission."

Another reason why Ukraine is focusing on developing its own missiles is that U.S. support could be reduced if U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who has vowed to end the war early, takes office.

The WSJ explained that Ukraine has considerable technical know-how as it played an important role in designing and producing long-range missiles during the former Soviet Union, and that Ukraine has already produced and used its own cruise missile, Neptune, in practice.

The United States, which has supported Ukraine's war, is skeptical of supporting missile development.

The U.S. says Ukraine is better off focusing on drone production than missiles, and U.S. Defense Secretary Austin recently said already successful long-range drone programs make more cost-effective than ballistic missiles.