Ukraine Allocates Additional Funds To Increase Domestic Missile Program

JAKARTA - President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Tuesday Ukraine had allocated additional funds for its domestic missile program, as Ukraine tried to narrow the gap in capabilities with Russia, which has a series of long-range weapons.

Ukraine, which has prioritized the production of long-range attack drones since the Russian invasion in February 2022, has tried to build production of its domestic weapons such as Neptune, a Ukrainian anti-ship missile that can also strike ground targets.

"Additional funds are allocated to our missile program. More missiles are produced domestically," President Zelensky wrote in the Telegram messaging app without elaborating.

In July, Ukrainian leaders said Kyiv was trying to reduce its dependence on missiles, including missiles used for air defenses, supplied by Ukrainian allies.

Kyiv is known to rely heavily on lethal military aid from its Western partners during the war. Kyiv has lobbied the West to allow it to use weapons it supplies to attack deep inside Russia.

Citing the Independent Kyiv, Ukraine continues to pressure its Western allies for long-range weapons, but faces doubts about the potentially used arms shipments to attack Russian territory.

The US itself has given Kyiv limited clearance to use certain American weapons to attack Russia's targets near the border of the region.

There are a number of western missiles in Ukraine today. British-made Storm Shadow missiles, as well as French-made SCALP missiles, have a range of up to 250 kilometers (150 miles). Meanwhile, the Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) sent to Ukraine by Washington can fly about 300 kilometers (190 miles).