Can Ukraine-Made Ballistic Missiles Succeed Where Western Military Aid Fails | Kursk Incursion

From now on, Ukraine will not be asking permission from its Western allies to strike deep into Russia, as Ukraine is slowly moving away from the West for its weapon needs and is tapping into its home-grown capabilities.

On the 28th of August, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphatically announced the successful test-firing of Ukraine’s first home-grown ballistic missile.

The announcement came days after the war-torn country announced that it successfully launched its first indigenous missile-drone, Palyanytsia.

While he did not provide more details, Zelenskyy shared the news "so that Ukrainian society would know and appreciate domestic defence producers working 24/7."

Ukraine largely relies on the West’s defence aid packages to fight the Russians, but Kyiv’s focus on domestic defence production signals a poignant shift.

The reason is that the US and its Western allies have placed limitations on Kyiv on where its weapons can be used.

Ukraine has been prohibited by the West to not to use their long-range missiles deep into Russia, though it can target the border regions.

West has been reluctant to give a free hand to Ukraine as it fears that the move could escalate the war.

There are concerns that Russian President Vladimir Putin would take a Ukrainian strike by an American long-range ballistic missile within Russia as an attack by the US itself.

It is precisely why the US didn’t permit Ukraine to use its long-range weapons such as Army Tactical Missile Systems or the ATACMS to strike Russia.

These missiles have a range of 300-kilometre and could be used to hit military bases and airfields well into Russian territory.

But now, Ukraine has equipped itself enough to strike deep within Russia. Take for example, Ukraine’s indigenous missile-drone, Palyanytsia.

According to reports, the drone missile‘s range is up to 700 kilometers, on par with the US-supplied ATACMS.

Local news outlets aired a video showing a map with various airfields, indicating that the Palianytsia can reach at least 20 Russian airfields.

Defence Minister Rustem Umerov on Monday said that the weapon would be used soon in response to the overnight attack on Ukraine.