Ukraine seeks new long-range weapon to overcome Western limits and strike deep into Russia.

KYIV, Ukraine — Ukraine has unveiled a new long-range weapon, a combination of missile and drone technology, that allows the country to strike deep into Russia without needing approval from its allies. The announcement came from the defense minister on Monday, amidst ongoing waves of Russian bombings targeting Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure.

Known as the “Palianytsia,” this weapon was developed out of urgent necessity, officials explained. Since the onset of the war in February 2022, Russia has maintained air superiority over Ukraine, and many Western allies have imposed conditions on the deployment of their long-range missiles against Russian targets. This weekend, Russian missiles and drones mounted the largest assault on Ukraine’s infrastructure seen in weeks.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his stance on these developments in a Telegram message, emphasizing that “defenders of life should have no restrictions on weapons” given Russia’s extensive arsenal. He officially confirmed the existence of the Palianytsia on Saturday, a day that also marked Ukraine’s 33rd independence anniversary. The weapon’s name, derived from a type of Ukrainian bread, became a point of identification during the conflict due to its difficult pronunciation, which was used to uncover potential spies.

Officials indicated that the Palianytsia was first utilized in a strike against a Russian military installation in the occupied territories, though they did not disclose further specifics. Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated that the new weapon would be utilized again soon, particularly in response to recent attacks on Ukraine.

“Ukraine is preparing its response. Weapons of its own production,” Umerov noted on Facebook. He reiterated the necessity of long-range capabilities and the need to lift restrictions on strikes aimed at enemy military facilities.

According to a military video released by Ukraine, the Palianytsia may have a range of up to 700 kilometers (approximately 430 miles). This range would align it with U.S.-supplied ATACMS missiles. The video indicated that the Palianytsia could potentially reach 20 different Russian airfields, including the Savasleyka air base, which lies within this range.

While the United States and other Western allies are supplying Ukraine with long-range weaponry, they have restricted strikes deep into Russia to avoid escalating the conflict. Ukraine is currently allowed to target border areas but is eager to penetrate further to strike at Russia’s military infrastructure.

The Institute for the Study of War has pointed out that Russia is exploiting safe zones in its rear areas. It estimated that at least 250 military targets in Russia remain within reach of the ATACMS missiles, but current restrictions limit Ukraine to attacking only 20 of them.

Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s technology minister, discussed the next steps in scaling up production of the Palianytsia in an interview. He concluded that this weapon could potentially change the dynamics of the conflict since it would allow Ukraine to attack areas where Russia currently lacks preparedness.

Fedorov refrained from sharing specifics about the Palianytsia’s range and production numbers, citing security concerns, but he acknowledged his involvement in developing domestic missiles since late 2022.

The focus of technology on the battlefield has evolved, with both Ukrainian and Russian forces adapting commercial products for military use. Innovations such as drones, including those striking inside Russia and those disrupting the Russian Black Sea fleet, have underscored how both sides have repurposed off-the-shelf technology for military advantage.

The development of the Palianytsia represents a significant milestone for Ukraine, as specialists involved in the missile project have described it as a completely new endeavor, separate from any previous Soviet initiatives. This missile features a solid-fuel booster, followed by a jet engine, indicating an advancement in design and capability.

Ukraine has conveyed the consequences of its inability to counter Russian long-range weapons, with reports that Russia has launched over 9,600 long-range missiles since the conflict began. Unfortunately, Ukrainian defenses have only managed to intercept about 25% of these incoming threats, causing a tragic impact on civilian targets.

The cost of producing each missile is said to be under $1 million. Efforts are being made to engage the private sector to reduce these costs even further. The shift toward private industry has already resulted in significant advancements in drone technology being utilized by the Ukrainian military.

“All types of missiles will be available in Ukraine,” Fedorov asserted, emphasizing how domestic production would foster a sense of independence and confidence in the military’s capabilities. He further pointed out that the sprawling size of Russia might also become a vulnerability, suggesting that it would be challenging for Russia to produce enough air defense systems to adequately shield its extensive territory.

“For us, this opens up the possibility of operating deep behind enemy lines,” he concluded.

Source: Associated Press