(NEW YORK) – Ukraine has announced the successful testing of a domestically produced FP7 ballistic missile with a reported range of 3,000 kilometres and a 1,150 kilogram warhead, marking a significant expansion of Kyiv’s long range strike capability.
The announcement came as Russian forces launched a large scale overnight missile and drone assault across Ukraine. According to local reporting, approximately 450 missiles and drones were used in the attack, targeting multiple regions including Kyiv. The strikes were described as directed primarily at civilian infrastructure, including apartment buildings and power facilities.
Despite continued bombardment, Ukraine confirmed that its new FP7 missile had completed a successful test. Officials and commentators described the system as broadly comparable in payload to Russia’s Iskander platform. With a range of roughly 1,900 miles or 3,000 kilometres, the missile would significantly extend Ukraine’s reach if deployed operationally. Observers suggested it could enter service within weeks.
Ukrainian strikes meanwhile continued against Russian energy infrastructure. A major oil reservoir at the Kalinino pumping station, serving the Druzhba pipeline network, burned for several days before being extinguished. Reported losses were estimated at more than 100 million US dollars. Ukrainian officials have not publicly detailed the cost of the operation.
Additional strikes were reported in occupied Luhansk region, targeting oil and logistical facilities. Russian Telegram channels circulated alerts of missile and drone sightings deep inside Russian territory, including near Perm, approximately 2,500 kilometres from Ukraine, and in regions more than 1,800 kilometres from the border. Independent confirmation of impacts was not immediately available.
In Belgorod, local officials reported repeated disruptions to power, heating and water systems amid cross border strikes. The city has faced sustained instability in recent months.
Inside Russia, economic pressures are mounting. The chief executive of AvtoVAZ, the country’s largest car manufacturer founded in 1966, described January and February trading conditions as the worst in two decades. Rostelecom reported a 95.7 per cent fall in fourth quarter net profit year on year, though full year profit declined by a lesser 22.4 per cent.
VPK Oil, owner of the Kochki refinery in the Novosibirsk region, announced plans to initiate bankruptcy proceedings. The refinery has an annual processing capacity of around one million tonnes. Russia’s average credit card interest rate has reportedly exceeded 50 per cent, as households take on debt amid rising costs.
In occupied Donetsk region, videos circulated showing schoolchildren tearing up Russian textbooks bearing portraits of the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin. State television has broadcast segments encouraging citizens to report alleged extremist material to authorities.
Security incidents were also reported beyond Russia. Romanian authorities confirmed that several Russian drones entered Romanian airspace near the Danube Delta. In the Netherlands, retired United States General Ben Hodges said a train he was travelling on during the NATO summit experienced an explosion on its roof as part of a wider rail sabotage incident.
Separately, recruitment programmes linked to the Alabuga special economic zone have faced scrutiny. Earlier promotional material targeted women aged 18 to 22 from abroad with advertised salaries starting at 860 US dollars per month. At the current exchange rate, 860 US dollars is approximately 790 euros. More recent advertising has openly referenced drone production. Promotional videos state that second year salaries can reach 150,000 rubles per month, equivalent to roughly 1,650 US dollars at current rates, rising to 350,000 rubles, or about 3,850 US dollars, in later years.
Crime and social instability within Russia have drawn attention. Russian media reported the arrest of a prominent pro Kremlin Telegram commentator on charges of embezzlement. The case followed wider reports of internal tensions within pro government media circles.
Internationally, a media profile portrayed Elon Musk’s decision to restrict Starlink access as an altruistic measure. Debate continues over the strategic impact of satellite communications access during the conflict.
