Ukraine tests near-space missile interceptors to counter Russia’s Oreshnik threat
Ukraine has conducted at least three tests of its own near-space interception systems to counter Russian Oreshnik intercontinental Ukraine has conducted three tests of weapons designed to intercept ballistic missiles beyond Earth's atmosphere as it seeks to counter Russia's Oreshnik missile system, The Guardian reported on November 8, citing Ukrainian lawmaker Fedir Venislavskyi.
The tests included launching interceptor weapons from high-altitude aircraft, according to Venislavskyi, who heads a subcommittee on state security within Ukraine's parliamentary defense committee.
Russia has used Oreshnik missiles against Ukraine at least three times, according to The Guardian. The missiles travel into near space before releasing multiple warheads, posing a challenge to conventional air defenses.
"We've already demonstrated launches of exo-atmospheric systems and we are working to see if we can get that in production," Venislavskyi told the newspaper.
He described the development of such systems as a priority but acknowledged that securing funding would be difficult amid Ukraine's competing wartime needs.
The effort is part of a broader push to develop independent Ukrainian space capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign satellite services, particularly Elon Musk's Starlink.
In October, Ukrainian communications technology company HIMERA and Denmark's GomSpace launched OBRIA NANO, the first test satellite for a planned Ukrainian communications network.
The initiative aims to provide Ukraine with its own satellite communications infrastructure, reducing its dependence on external providers.
Venislavskyi said recent disruptions to satellite communications had highlighted the risks of relying on foreign systems for military command and control.
"Now we need to raise it to another level, not least because the enemy is already threatening Ukrainian territory from international space via Oreshnik missiles," he said.
The Guardian did not report whether the interceptor tests successfully destroyed any targets or when the systems might become operational.