Fact Check: "Ukraine's new ballistic missile is already in mass production."
What We Know
Ukraine has recently made significant strides in its military capabilities, particularly in the production of ballistic missiles. On June 13, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that the short-range Sapsan ballistic missile would enter mass production. This development comes as Ukraine seeks to reduce its dependency on Western military aid amidst ongoing conflicts with Russia (Kyiv Independent).
The Sapsan missile has successfully completed combat testing, demonstrating its capability by striking a Russian military target at a range of nearly 300 kilometers (Kyiv Independent). This missile is notable not only for its range but also for its substantial payload, reportedly over 480 kilograms, indicating a focus on strike power (Kyiv Independent).
Additionally, experts have highlighted that the emergence of domestically produced ballistic missiles represents a significant political statement against Russian claims that Ukraine should be demilitarized (Kyiv Independent).
Analysis
The claim that Ukraine's new ballistic missile is in mass production is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The announcement from President Zelenskyy, covered by the Kyiv Independent and corroborated by NPR, confirms that the Sapsan missile is moving into mass production. The timeline for this development aligns with the ongoing military needs of Ukraine, as they face challenges in securing weapons from Western allies (Kyiv Independent).
The reliability of the sources is strong, as both NPR and the Kyiv Independent are reputable news organizations with a history of accurate reporting on military and geopolitical issues. Furthermore, the information regarding the missile's testing and specifications comes from experts in the field, such as Valentyn Badrak, head of the Center for Army, Conversion and Disarmament Studies, which adds to the credibility of the claims (Kyiv Independent).
While there may be some skepticism regarding the exact timeline and scale of production, the consensus among experts and the official announcements indicate that Ukraine is indeed progressing toward mass production of the Sapsan missile.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Ukraine's new ballistic missile is already in mass production is accurate. Official announcements and expert analyses confirm that the Sapsan missile has completed testing and is now entering mass production, marking a significant advancement in Ukraine's military capabilities.
Sources
- Ukraine has successfully tested ballistic missiles that were made ... - NPR
- Tired of military aid delays, Ukraine has designed its own ballistic ... - Kyiv Independent
- Ukraine launches its first ballistic missile into mass production ... - Ukraine Today
- Ukraine to mass-produce Sapsan missile, Zelenskyy confirms | RBC-Ukraine - RBC-Ukraine
