Ukraine is preparing to launch serial production of its domestically developed ballistic missile known as Sapsan or Hrim-2, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed during a meeting with journalists, after unofficial media reports.

Zelenskyy confirms production plans, timeline unclear

During the press briefing on 13 June, Zelenskyy addressed the recent emergence of information regarding the Sapsan missile. The President noted that work is ongoing toward mass production but emphasized that other details have been classified:

“Now we’re working on developing the capability for mass production of the ballistic missile. When, how, in what quantity—I can’t say,” he stated, as reported by Fakty ICTV on 14 June.

Earlier, speaking to United24, Defense Express analyst Ivan Kyrychevskyi claimed that despite frequent references to the missile system by its former project names as Sapsan or Hrim-2, it does not currently have an official name. He stated that earlier labels were primarily used for export marketing to Saudi Arabia prior to Russia’s all-out war, and now the missile remains officially nameless.

First media report: Tests completed, production begins

Earlier on 13 June, Liga published an article by Valentyn Badrak, director of the Center for Army, Conversion, and Disarmament Studies. According to Badrak, the missile underwent successful combat testing in May 2025 and is now being transitioned into serial production.

Badrak emphasized the missile’s combat readiness and described it as “a large, powerful weapon,” noting that its warhead weighs 480 kilograms. He cited military sources who reported no remaining barriers to mass production, stating that coordination between the Defense Ministry and Ministry of Strategic Industries has been achieved.

Ukraine new ballistic system “Sapsan” is faster than US-made ATACMS

“Faster than ATACMS”

Badrak also referred to a key earlier test in July 2024, where the Sapsan demonstrated a speed of 5.2 Mach. He stated that this performance makes it faster than the US ATACMS and close in capability to the Russian Iskander missiles.

Top defense priority for Ukraine

The same day, Ukraine’s Deputy Defense Minister Anatoliy Klochko highlighted the strategic importance of the domestic missile program, stating,

“The issue of Ukrainian ballistics today is not first, second, or third—it’s out of line. It’s a top priority.”

He also said a great deal of work has already been completed in this area, with increased focus now being directed toward national ballistic capabilities.

Ukraine has made a breakthrough in its weapons developement. The new, domestically produced Sapsan ballistic missile has completed successful tests and is now headed for mass production, says Valentin Badrak, director of the Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies, LIGA.net reports. 

“The first successful test of Ukraine’s first ballistic missile took place in July 2024,” Badrak confirms.

Ballistic missiles are notoriously hard to intercept due to their parabolic trajectory, a tactical advantage confirmed by battlefield experience.

“Even the older American ATACMS missiles have proven this in combat, as the enemy failed to intercept them,” the expert adds. 

In May 2025, Sapsan saw its first combat use, and it was an immediate success. The missile struck a Russian military target approximately 300 km away with high precision.

The Ministry of Defense has now greenlit full-scale production, and according to Badrak, “there are no obstacles remaining for this step.”

Beyond its speed, Sapsan boasts a powerful warhead of 480 kg, more than double the explosive payload of the standard US ATACMS – 227 kg.

“It’s clear Ukraine is moving toward missile force buildup — and this matters not only for today’s defense, but for securing the nation’s long-term future,” Badrak concludes. 

Earlier, Mykola Shcherbakov, commander of a State Border Guard Sea Guard vessel, said the war in Ukraine is bringing revolutionary changes to modern military strategy. After Ukrainian soldiers destroyed Russia’s Black Sea Fleet flagship, the Moskva cruiser, it became clear: the era of large warships is over

Ukraine’s Ukroboronprom is already assembling Czech CZ BREN 2 rifles under license, with partial component production ongoing. The company could begin manufacturing complete rifles within a few months, a representative of Czech arms manufacturer Česká zbrojovka told ČTK, Radio Prague, reports.

Ukroboronprom began licensed assembly in 2024

The Ukrainian state-owned defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom announced in November 2024 that it had begun licensed assembly of the Czech assault rifles. At that time, it was already noted that the aim was to eventually transition from simple assembly to full local production, Radio Prague says.

Assembly ongoing, full production ahead

Currently, Ukraine is carrying out licensed assembly of CZ BREN 2 rifles and has already established local manufacturing of select components. Radek Hauerland, external relations manager for Česká zbrojovka, stated:

“This is already working. The first step is assembly and production of small parts. The next step is full production, meaning transfer of complete technology to Ukraine.”

He added that full production is a highly complex process, requiring specialized technology. However, a licensed facility in Ukraine could begin manufacturing complete rifles within a few months.

“It’s impossible to say exactly. You have to go step by step, from simpler things to more complex ones,” Hauerland said.

According to him, the Ukrainian enterprise could handle production volumes of tens of thousands of rifles per year.

Part of a broader arms partnership with Czech industry

Česká zbrojovka is part of Czechia-based Colt CZ Group, which also includes Sellier & Bellot, a manufacturer of ammunition for small arms. Sellier & Bellot has signed an agreement to produce several types of its ammunition at a new cartridge plant in Ukraine, using technology provided by the Czech side. Colt, a well-known American firearms’ manufacturer, became part of the Czech group several years ago.

On 27 May, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry announced that the United Kingdom will allocate funding from the ERA (Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration) initiative to support Ukraine’s military needs. Under this agreement, Ukraine is set to receive $3 billion over 2025–2026. The funds originate from excess profits generated by frozen Russian assets.

The Ministry reported that the agreement was signed by First Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Serhii Boiev and Deputy Minister of Strategic Industries of Ukraine Davyd Aloian. Representing the United Kingdom, Major General Anna-Lee Reilly, Director Strategic Capability, Engagement and Operations at the UK Ministry of Defence, signed the agreement.

Funding targets defense procurement and repairs

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry detailed that the funding will be used for:

• Procurement of defense products manufactured abroad;
• Repair and maintenance of military equipment;
• Joint projects between Ukrainian and international defense companies;
• Procurement of critically essential materials, including items made in Ukraine.

According to Boiev, the use of Russian-origin profits for defense purposes is “not only valuable in practical terms, but also as a matter of principle.” He stated:

“The use of excess profits from Russian assets to reinforce Ukraine’s defense is a just response to aggression and an acknowledgement of Ukraine’s right to self-defense.”

Ukraine seeks to unlock production potential

Deputy Minister Davyd Aloian emphasized the importance of the funding in activating domestic capacity:

“Ukrainian enterprises have a production capacity of $35 billion, but insufficient funding prevents their full utilization. Therefore, leveraging excess profits generated from frozen Russian assets will significantly boost the production and repair capacities of Ukraine’s defense industry.”

The Ukrainian side thanked the United Kingdom for providing the financial support and for backing Ukraine’s armament production efforts.