In an effort to advance the development of ballistic missiles to strengthen the response against Russian attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently confirmed that the country’s Armed Forces have tested the new Hrim-2 short-range missile. This missile is designed and manufactured by the local Ukrainian industry, thus avoiding the various usage restrictions imposed by Western partners who have supplied their own ballistic missiles.
Specifically, President Zelensky made these remarks during the Ukraine Independence Forum 2024 held in Kyiv, where he congratulated those involved in this development but did not reveal many details. He said: “It might be too early to talk about this, but I want to share the news with you that Ukraine has successfully tested its first ballistic missile. I congratulate our defense industry on this. I cannot share more details about this missile.”
These remarks follow recent statements by Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who mentioned that Ukraine is developing various types of weapons locally to respond to Russian attacks, with plans already being outlined. Umerov stated: “This once again shows that to achieve victory, we will need long-range capabilities to strike enemy targets without restrictions (…) Ukraine is preparing its own response with weapons of its own production.”
Regarding the Hrim-2 system, it is believed to have been developed starting in the late 2000s, with significant progress made following the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2014. The first known tests of the propulsion system occurred four years later, although it is unclear whether they were conducted with a prototype, as the missile was then showcased in a military parade that same year; several years before any real test results were publicly reported.
Among the few known qualities of the missile, which analysts suggest is part of the design lineage of the Iskander-M, it is estimated to have a range of approximately 700 kilometers. This was stated in January by Brigadier General Serhiy Baranov, head of the General Directorate of Missiles, Artillery, and Unmanned Systems of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Other previously known reports indicated a range estimated between 280 and 500 kilometers.
Finally, it is worth noting that, as a precursor to these tests, the Russian Ministry of Defense had reported in March 2023 that Ukraine had used Hrim-2 missiles, which were intercepted by their air defense systems. At that time, a ministry spokesperson stated: “Today, a Hrim-2 ballistic missile and three HIMARS projectiles were intercepted in the Novoandriyivka and Zeleny Hay areas.”
*Cover image: “VoidWanderer” on Wikipedia
You may also like: The Ukrainian Ground Forces advance in the integration of the PBV 302 armored vehicles transferred by Sweden
