Ukraine unveils FP-9 ballistic rocket with Moscow firmly in range
FP-9 — the cutting-edge development in Ukranian ballistic (Photo: Fire Point)
Flight testing for Ukraine’s new FP-9 ballistic missile, engineered to strike high-value assets deep inside Russia, is scheduled to commence shortly ahead of its operational combat debut planned for autumn 2026, NV wrote on Aug. 26.
The missile system was first unveiled at a defense exhibition in Rzeszów, Poland, in April 2026, by its manufacturer, Ukrainian defense technology company Fire Point.
The FP-9 was developed as a domestic alternative to the American MGM-140 ATACMS, featuring a substantially larger warhead at half the production cost.
The manufacturer emphasized that high terminal velocity serves as the missile's core capability, significantly complicating interception by enemy air defense systems.
FP-9 is launched from a mobile road-transporter platform, enabling rapid relocation and flexible mission planning. The system’s architecture supports full integration with modern automated command-and-control, mission-planning, and target-acquisition networks.
Key technical specifications:
- Warhead mass: 800 kg (1,764 lbs)
- Operational range: up to 855 km (531 miles)
- Velocity: up to 2,200 m/s (Mach 6.4)
- Flight ceiling: 70 km (43.5 miles)
- Accuracy (CEP): 20 m (65 ft)
- Length: 9.5 m (31.2 ft)
- Maximum diameter: 1.1 m (3.6 ft)
The primary differentiator of the system is its 855-kilometer operational range, classifying it within short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) parameters. Measured from the nearest Ukrainian border sectors in Sumy or Chernihiv oblasts, the distance to the Russian capital of Moscow is 410 to 415 kilometers (255 to 258 miles), thus, the enemy capital falling within the missile's operational envelope even if launches are conducted from secure rear areas within Ukrainian territory.
By comparison, standard ATACMS variants possess an operational reach of 300 km (186 miles), while Ukraine's Sapsan operational-tactical missile system is designed for a range of up to 500 km (310 miles).
Comparable adversary missile ranges:
- 9M723 Iskander-M (Russia): 700 km (435 miles)
- KN-23 / KN-24 (North Korea): 500 km (310 miles)
In June, Fire Point Chief Designer and Co-Owner Denys Shtilerman stated that Ukraine will soon be capable of striking Moscow using the "Nine" (the internal designation for the FP-9), suggesting that Russian energy infrastructure could serve as primary target sets.
Former Minister of Defense Mykhailo Fedorov offered a more cautious projection in August, assessing that Ukraine will deploy its domestic ballistic missiles against Russian territory before the end of 2026.
To date, Ukraine’s long-range deep strike campaign inside Russia has relied primarily on cost-effective long-range strike drones and subsonic cruise missiles. However, these systems fly considerably slower than ballistic missiles, making them more vulnerable to detection and kinetic air defense interception.
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