Ukraine’s Sapsan ballistic missile gears up for mass production after successful tests

Ukraine has successfully conducted test launches of its own ballistic missile, the Sapsan, and is now moving forward with its mass production, according to Valentin Badrak, director of the Centre for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies, in an article for LIGA.net.

“The first successful tests of the Sapsan ballistic missile took place in July 2024,” Badrak said.

He explained that ballistic missiles have greater power and speed compared to cruise missiles. During testing, the Ukrainian Sapsan reached a speed of 5.2 Mach, or about 6,370 km/h. For comparison, the American ATACMS missile travels at approximately 3 Mach, while the Russian Iskander-M reaches about 6 Mach.

An important benefit of ballistic missiles is their parabolic flight trajectory, which significantly complicates interception by conventional anti-aircraft missile systems. “This has been demonstrated in practice even by the older American ATACMS ballistic missiles, which the enemy was unable to intercept,” Badrak noted.

The Sapsan was first used in combat conditions in May 2025, successfully destroying a Russian military facility located approximately 300 kilometres away.

Badrak also stated that the missile is now set to enter serial production, and according to assurances from the Ministry of Defence, there are no obstacles to this process.

Regarding technical specifications, the Sapsan carries a 480-kilogram warhead. For comparison, the high-explosive warhead of the ATACMS missile weighs 227 kilograms.

“Therefore, we can assume that Ukraine is already on the path to missile buildup, which is crucial not only for current defence but also for the future security of the state and the nation,” the expert concluded.

Earlier, Ukraine began effectively deploying Bulava strike and reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles on the front lines, often described as the Ukrainian answer to the Russian Lancet drones.

Additionally, the Defence Forces have acquired new Volynyaka hexacopters designed to target heavily armored vehicles.

By Tamilla Hasanova