Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently announced that Ukraine has successfully tested a new home-grown ballistic missile, marking a major achievement for the country’s defense capabilities. While Zelensky didn’t reveal the exact name or specifics of the missile, this development could be a game-changer in Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia. Many believe he might be referring to the Hrim-2 (also called Thunder-2), a missile Ukraine has been working on for years. This missile, still in development, could give Ukraine a powerful new weapon to strike deep into enemy territory without needing foreign approval or restrictions.
Zelensky’s announcement came during a press conference at the Ukraine 2024 Independence Forum in Kyiv. He congratulated the Ukrainian defense industry but kept further details of the missile under wraps. The Hrim-2 project, which has been in the works since the late 2000s, gained momentum after Russia’s seizure of Crimea in 2014. A successful rocket motor test for this missile was carried out in 2018, and a transporter vehicle for the missile was showcased at a military parade that year, sparking even more interest.
The Hrim-2 is designed to look and function similarly to Russia’s Iskander-M missile and could potentially hit targets up to 310 miles (500 kilometers) away, although its exact range is still uncertain. If the Hrim-2 becomes fully operational, it would give Ukraine a crucial stand-off weapon – a missile that can hit targets from a safe distance – without needing to rely on weapons provided by Western partners, which often come with restrictions on how and where they can be used.
This new missile, if it is indeed the Hrim-2, could be an answer to Ukraine’s need for stronger long-range firepower. Ukraine has been using Soviet-era Tochka missiles in the war, but these older weapons have limited range and capabilities. The development of something more advanced, like the Hrim-2, would be a huge leap forward for Ukraine’s military.
Zelensky’s mention of the successful test raised questions about whether Ukraine is moving toward having a broader range of powerful long-range missiles. Ukraine’s former defense minister had hinted at a missile with a potential range of up to 620 miles (1,000 kilometers), but details about that weapon remain scarce. However, Ukraine has already made strides with other long-range weapons, such as the land-attack version of its Neptune cruise missile and longer-range drones.
The ability to strike deep into Russian-held territory would give Ukraine a new advantage. The country has faced challenges in using its air force due to Russia’s strong air defenses, which makes ground-launched missiles even more important. While Ukraine has received some long-range missiles, like the American-made ATACMS, their use is limited by the U.S. and other allies, particularly when it comes to striking targets within Russia itself. Developing its own ballistic missiles would allow Ukraine to strike without these restrictions.
Russia has already felt the impact of Ukraine’s long-range missile strikes, especially with the recent use of ATACMS, which forced Russian forces to change their operating procedures and bolster their defenses, even deploying their most advanced air defense system, the S-500. The arrival of Ukraine’s own ballistic missile could escalate this pressure further.
At this stage, it’s unclear when Ukraine’s new missile will be fully ready for use in combat, but one thing is certain: it represents a significant shift in the dynamics of the war. With the ability to strike harder and farther, and without needing to adhere to the rules imposed by its allies, Ukraine could soon have a powerful new tool in its arsenal to turn the tide against Russian forces. The ongoing conflict, already brutal and intense, may enter an even more dangerous phase as Ukraine’s military capabilities expand.
