Ukraine has developed the Hrim-2 long-range missile, boasting a range of over 500 km, which significantly enhances its capability to strike deep into Russian territory.
Ukraine has unveiled its new Hrim-2 missile, capable of striking Moscow and potentially shifting the dynamics of the ongoing conflict with Russia. With a range exceeding 500 km, this advanced missile can carry a 500 kg warhead and is designed for precision attacks.This development empowers Ukraine to conduct deep strikes into Russian territory independently, eliminating the need for approval to utilize Western weaponry, such as the Storm Shadow cruise missile.
The Hrim-2 is part of a $300 million long-term project, bolstered by $40 million in research funding from Saudi Arabia, which was expedited following the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022.Yehor Chernev, the Chairman of Ukraine’s NATO delegation, announced that after a decade of development, the missile is ready for deployment. “Concrete results will soon be visible, affecting both Ukraine and the Russian Federation,” he stated.Defense experts warn that if KB Pivdenne, the missile’s manufacturer based in Dnipro, can produce the Hrim-2 in significant quantities, it could pose a serious threat to Russia. Military analyst Tim Ripley emphasized that this capability is unprecedented for Ukraine.
“If they can successfully target Moscow, it represents a major leap in operational capability, but it hinges on their ability to produce these missiles en masse and withstand Russian electronic warfare countermeasures.”
A standout feature of the Hrim-2 missile is its evasive capability, designed to outmaneuver advanced Russian air defense systems like the S-300 and S-400. Its ballistic trajectory allows it to be launched from high altitudes and travel at very high speeds, making it difficult to intercept.In a strategic move, Ukraine has recently targeted seven Russian radar systems in drone strikes, potentially compromising Moscow’s defensive capabilities. This sets the stage for an imminent first wave of Hrim-2 missile attacks on Russia.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that despite ongoing Russian assaults on Ukrainian arms manufacturing facilities, the Hrim-2 missile was successfully test-fired for the first time in August. Some reports indicate that this missile may have a maximum range of up to 700 km, further enhancing its threat potential.
A Ukrainian security official has indicated that the Hrim-2 missile’s “deep strike capability,” in conjunction with long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), will enable Kyiv to launch a sophisticated, multi-layered air assault that can challenge Russian air defense systems deep within Russian territory.With the center of Moscow located less than 450 km from Ukraine, military leaders are reportedly contemplating an offensive aimed at the Russian capital, possibly as retaliation for recent winter operations targeting Kyiv.
Defense analyst David Axe noted that while such attacks could create strategic advantages for Ukraine and disorient Russian forces, they are unlikely to change the overall dynamics of the conflict.Although the specifics of the Hrim-2’s guidance system remain unclear, it will likely encounter formidable resistance from Russian air defenses, particularly around Moscow. Nonetheless, this missile system would empower Ukraine to target critical infrastructure in Russia—including airports, military command centers, oil refineries, and industrial facilities—without requiring approval from Western allies.
While the US, UK, and France have provided precision strike systems like the Storm Shadow and ATACMS, they have declined to permit their use against targets within Russian borders.
