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Kiev struggling to build ballistic missiles – WSJ Kiev struggling to keep key ballistic missiles promise – WSJ
(33 minutes later)
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov had previously vowed to unveil a “huge missile program” by the end of the yearUkrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov had previously vowed to unveil a “huge missile program” by the end of the year
Kiev lacks the funds and capacity to create its own ballistic missiles, the Wall Street Journal has reported, citing Ukrainian officials. Experts suggest that the country will likely remain dependent on the West for certain types of weapons for years to come.
Last month, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov promised a “huge missile program” by next year, aimed at developing Kiev’s own ballistic missiles.
Ukrainian officials also told the WSJ that this work was already underway and, while most of the details are secret, the program could be operational soon, with one ballistic missile test already having been conducted in August.
Deputy Minister for Strategic Industries Anna Gvozdiar also claimed that Kiev is currently working to develop “more than one ballistic missile,” according to the outlet.  Ukraine is facing significant challenges in developing its own ballistic missiles, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal on Sunday, citing local officials and experts.
However, financing the program and producing the weapons at scale is proving problematic, Ukrainian officials told the outlet, noting that the country would have to rely on the West for weapon deliveries for the foreseeable future. Despite recent promises by Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to unveil a major missile program by the end of the year, the country lacks the necessary funding and infrastructure to produce the weapons on a large scale, and is likely to remain dependent on Western supplies for the foreseeable future, the outlet has claimed.  
Aleksandr Kamyshin, an adviser to Vladimir Zelensky on strategic affairs, explained to the WSJ that Ukraine “simply doesn’t have enough money” for the initiative, particularly as its Western backers have offered little or no support for the missile program. Washington instead has urged the country to focus on developing long-range drones. Last month, Umerov vowed that Kiev would roll out a “huge missile program” aimed at strengthening its military capabilities. While the details remain largely secret, officials say the process is already underway, with at least one test conducted in August.
Ukrainian MP Egor Chernev, who serves as the deputy head of the parliamentary committee on national security, defense and intelligence, has also previously stated that Kiev was struggling to get all the necessary missile components. Anna Gvozdiar, Ukraine’s deputy minister for strategic industries, confirmed that the country is working on multiple missile projects.
The WSJ noted that Kiev’s missile program was also being hampered by a depleted workforce, due to mass emigration and ongoing conscription, as well as continued Russian attacks on the country’s manufacturing infrastructure. However, Ukrainian officials told the Wall Street Journal on Friday that the program is struggling due to a lack of financing and the country’s inability to produce missiles at scale.
Chernev insisted that the ballistic program was close to operation and told Ukrainian media that “there will soon be concrete results that not only Ukraine, but also the Russian Federation will see.” Aleksandr Kamyshin, an adviser to Vladimir Zelensky on strategic affairs, explained that Ukraine “simply doesn’t have enough money” for the initiative. Western allies have shown little interest in directly supporting the missile program, with the US urging Kiev to focus on developing long-range drones instead, citing cost-effectiveness.
The WSJ report comes after Kiev used US-made ATACMS and British Storm Shadow long-range missiles to carry out attacks on Russia’s Kursk and Bryansk regions. In response, Moscow fired its new Oreshnik hypersonic ballistic missile at a military-industrial facility in the Ukrainian city of Dnepropetrovsk.  MP Egor Chernev, deputy head of the parliamentary committee on national security and defense, echoed the concerns, saying that the country is facing difficulties obtaining the necessary missile components.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has since stated that the Oreshnik will soon be mass produced and incorporated into Russia’s arsenal. He has also warned that further Ukrainian attacks with Western weapons would result in more retaliatory strikes. The report also highlights that Ukraine’s missile development is hindered by a depleted workforce, due to mass emigration and ongoing conscription, and Russian attacks on manufacturing facilities.
Chernev insists that the missile program is close to operational, stating “there will soon be concrete results that not only Ukraine, but also the Russian Federation will see.”
The WSJ report follows Ukraine’s use of U.S.-made ATACMS and British Storm Shadow missiles to strike Russian targets in the Kursk and Bryansk regions. In response, Russia launched its newly developed Oreshnik hypersonic missile at a Ukrainian military facility in Dnepropetrovsk. Russian President Vladimir Putin has since confirmed plans to mass-produce the Oreshnik and warned that further Ukrainian use of Western-supplied weapons would result in more retaliatory strikes.