Ukraine: Kyiv conducts tests on a missile system as an alternative to the Patriots. Lavrov: ‘Meeting with the UK, France and Germany’
The Ukrainian arms manufacturer Fire Point aims to begin mass production of the new surface-to-air system by 2027
According to the Financial Times, Ukraine has tested a new surface-to-air missile designed as a cheaper alternative to the American Patriot system. This was stated by Denys Shtilierman, co-founder of the Ukrainian arms manufacturer Fire Point, which aims to mass-produce the new system. The first flight test of the FP-7.x anti-missile interceptor took place last week, and the co-founder of Fire Point described it as ‘quite successful’ in an interview with the British newspaper.
The new FP-7.x missile
According to Fire Point, the FP-7.x is designed to counter Russian threats posed by ballistic missiles and drones at a fraction of the cost of existing Western systems, such as the Patriot from Lockheed Martin and the SAMP-T Franco-Italian system, and could be produced in much greater numbers in the future. Mass production of the missile could begin in August, Shtilierman said, provided that an infrared guidance system is delivered, which Fire Point hopes to obtain from Germany’s Diehl Defence. The complete missiles would be ready by 2027, added the CEO of the Ukrainian company. The Financial Times also reports that Fire Point has held talks with the German firms Hensoldt and Thales regarding radar technologies, and with the Italian Leonardo for target tracking and acquisition radars, and with the Norwegian firm Kongsberg for command and control technology. “The completion of this project depends on the speed of our Western partners and when they start to take action,” said Shtilierman.
Lavrov: ‘The ambassadors of the UK, France and Germany have asked us for a meeting’
On the diplomatic front, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that the ambassadors of the UK, France and Germany will be received at the Russian Foreign Ministry. The meeting was reportedly requested by the European countries following their decision to take the initiative to negotiate with Russia regarding the conflict in Ukraine. “The ambassadors of these countries are requesting a meeting with my deputy at the ministry,” Lavrov announced. “We will meet with them and listen to them. It is simply interesting – the minister concluded, as quoted by TASS – to see how these people will present something that might inspire constructive ideas.”
Zelensky: ‘Our Flamingo missile struck a Russian facility 1,000 km from the border’
Meanwhile, the fighting on the ground continues. Overnight, Kyiv struck a Russian military facility several hundred kilometres east of Moscow with Ukrainian-made missiles. This was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who revealed a rare deployment of his country’s flagship weapon. “Last night, Ukrainian FP-5 Flamingo missiles struck a military facility in Cheboksary that supplies the occupying army with components for drones and missiles,” said Zelensky. Cheboksary is the main city of the central Russian region of Chuvashia, located 1,000 kilometres from the Ukrainian border.
Pro-Russian: 17-year-old killed by a Ukrainian drone in Luhansk
Military operations are continuing in the territories occupied by Russia. Yesterday evening, a Ukrainian drone struck a group of minors in the Ukrainian region of Luhansk, which was annexed by Russia in 2022, killing a 17-year-old boy. This was reported by the head of the Russian administration, Leonid Pasechnik. ‘Last night in Irmino, an enemy drone attacked a group of teenagers on mopeds. Tragically, a 17-year-old boy died instantly from his injuries. Another 16-year-old boy was wounded by shrapnel,” Pasechnik wrote on Telegram.
