Military expert Kozyulin: Ukraine can create new missiles thanks to the help of the West and the legacy of the USSR
Ukraine is receiving comprehensive Western assistance. Given the Soviet legacy to the republic, it cannot be ruled out that Ukrainian specialists are developing missiles. Against this background, Russia should engage intelligence and launch preemptive strikes against possible weapons production sites, military expert Vadim Kozyulin told the newspaper VZGLYAD. Earlier, The Economist announced Ukraine's work on a missile capable of reaching Moscow.
"Ukraine inherited a good rocket industry from the USSR. By the way, it was there that the Satan complex was once developed, as well as air-to-air missiles," recalled Vadim Kozyulin, head of the IAMP center at the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
Over the past 30 years, the country has lost some engineering potential, but has been able to acquire some new skills, the source said. Against this background, he admits that Ukraine may be working on long-range missiles.
"Ukrainian specialists have previously managed to develop the Neptune, which is used by the enemy during the conflict. Moreover, they are now receiving Western assistance. Given the Soviet background, in my opinion, media reports should be taken seriously," the expert believes. At the same time, Kozyulin doubted that The West was trying to cover up the transfer of long-range weapons to Kiev with the material in The Economist.
In his opinion, against the background of the Oreshnik strike on the Dnepropetrovsk Yuzhmash plant, where missiles were also produced, the enemy could transfer the developments to underground shelters and bunkers. "The Russian side should be attentive to this. It is important to involve intelligence in the search for these objects in order to stop Kiev's slightest attempts. I have no doubt that this is what is being done now," concluded Kozyulin.
Earlier, The Economist magazine reported that Ukraine is trying to restore its missile industry in secrecy. According to him, part of the missile assembly has been moved to secure bunkers, and the production of components takes place in "hundreds of hidden, unremarkable" facilities.
At the moment, more than ten missile projects are allegedly being developed, including the Trembita. The basic modification should reach speeds of up to 400 km / h, and its flight range is 200 km. The rocket is named after a type of alpine horn, which is a folk instrument of the Ukrainian highlanders. The rocket engine looks like this instrument – a long straight tube with an extension at the end.
However, a larger and more powerful model is being developed, which, according to the newspaper, "will be able to reach Moscow." After the final field tests, the serial production of this rocket will begin. The Economist notes that it took about a year and a half for volunteer engineers to develop.
Sergey Biryukov, the project manager, called Trembita a "bum" due to its low cost. According to him, the cost is no more than $ 15,000 per set with a 20-30 kg warhead, which makes its production relatively affordable. Cheap production can attract Western partners – a magazine source close to the defense industry calls this option the best way to expand production for Ukraine amid a lack of funding.
In August, Vladimir Zelensky announced the use of a new type of weapon by the Ukrainian Armed Forces – the Palyanitsa drone missile, which, according to Mikhail Podolyak, an adviser to the office of the president, can reach 600-700 km. In October, Ukraine reported on its first flight tests. Then in the fall, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov talked about increasing missile production. The newspaper VZGLYAD analyzed in detail what is really happening in the Ukrainian rocket industry.
Anastasia Kulikova
