Ukraine twice launched carrier rockets into space during war, MP says

During the war, units from Defence Intelligence of Ukraine carried out two launches of carrier rockets into space.

Source: MP Fedir Venislavskyi, a member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defence and Intelligence, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine, commenting in particular on the interception of Oreshnik-type missiles

Quote: "The first time – to an altitude of over 100 km, the second – 204 km, which has been officially recorded by relevant technical means. This is a unique situation for a country engaged in a full-scale war. That is, Ukraine already has the technical capability to counter such enemy attack systems and strike them in space."

Details: Meanwhile, Venislavskyi noted that Ukraine needs to develop its technological capabilities further, including preparing its own means of kinetic interception for missile systems such as the Oreshnik.

"It is most effective to intercept the Oreshnik before the warheads separate from the carrier rocket in space. It is easier to shoot down one target than six that have already separated and are manoeuvring in different directions at hypersonic speed," he explained.

According to Venislavskyi, this requires reaching an altitude of over 100 km, that is, into outer space. At present, Ukraine's Air Force air defence missile units can engage targets at a distance of up to 30–40 km within the country's airspace.

He added that such launches were carried out during combat missions under the leadership of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

"We have missiles that almost no one knows about but which are capable of striking enemy territory at distances of up to 500 km and flying at hypersonic speeds. And we are successfully using them in combat operations," Venislavskyi added.

He clarified that the main purpose of these missiles is for use in unconventional operations.

In addition, Ukraine has also tested a technology for launching a carrier rocket from a transport aircraft at an altitude of about 8,000 m.

These remarks come amid a possible launch of Ukraine's Space Forces, which Venislavskyi also mentioned. According to Venislavskyi, the legislative framework has already been prepared, and full deployment could take between three and five years. This includes, in particular, the creation of a domestic satellite constellation and ensuring independent communications and intelligence capabilities.

Background:

• Earlier, the OSINT community CyberBoroshno analysed the results of Ukrainian strikes on infrastructure at Kapustin Yar, a test site used by the Russians to launch intermediate-range ballistic missiles such as the Oreshnik.
• Ukraine's Security Service also reported that on the night of 8-9 July 2024, forces from Defence Intelligence, the Security Service and the Foreign Intelligence Service destroyed an Oreshnik missile that was in a storage facility and almost ready for launch.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!