Brief
Zelensky says Ukraine deployed FP‑7 tactical ballistic missile in combat
Zelenskyy posted on Telegram that the FP‑7 was used for the first time, while Russian drones struck Kyiv and a key bridge the same day.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Thursday that the FP‑7 tactical ballistic missile had been used in combat for the first time, thanking those involved and urging rapid production.
What happened
The president’s brief message said, “First combat use. Thank you for the result. Next – production.” He gave no details on the target, location or timing of the strike. The same day Russian drones attacked Kyiv, hitting a school in the early morning and the Southern Bridge over the Dnipro River around noon, with a further strike on the bridge’s support structures late in the evening. No injuries were reported at the school because students were in a shelter.
What the reports add
The Guardian notes that the missile’s maker, Fire Point, describes the FP‑7 as a ballistic interceptor being developed for the European Freyja missile‑defence programme launched earlier this year. Ukrainian military analysts compare the FP‑7 to the U.S. Army Tactical Missile System but at a lower cost, estimating a range of about 200 km (125 miles). The article also mentions that Ukraine’s domestic missile production lags behind Russia’s, making new tactical missiles a strategic priority.
What was said
Zelenskyy’s Telegram post, quoted by the Guardian, read: “First combat use. Thank you for the result. Next – production.” The outlet also reports that Kyiv’s mayor Vitali Klitschko described the drone hits on the Southern Bridge, saying two drones struck around noon and a later strike damaged supporting structures.
How it came about
Ukraine has been accelerating its own weapons programmes to counter Russia’s frequent use of tactical ballistic missiles. Earlier Felo coverage linked the FP‑7 to the “Pelican” weapon discussed on 2026‑09‑21, and highlighted Zelenskyy’s stance that Ukraine would halt attacks on Russian energy sites only if Russia stopped its own strikes, a position outlined in a 2026‑09‑15 article. The recent Russian drone attacks on Kyiv underscore the ongoing pressure on Ukrainian infrastructure.
Key facts
- President Zelenskyy announced the first combat use of the FP‑7 tactical ballistic missile. (theguardian.com)
- The FP‑7 is described by its maker as a ballistic interceptor developed under the European Freyja programme. (theguardian.com)
- Ukrainian analysts estimate the FP‑7’s range at about 200 km. (theguardian.com)
- Russian drones hit a Kyiv school and the Southern Bridge on the same day. (theguardian.com)
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “Ukraine war briefing: Zelenskyy says new ballistic missile used in combat”
