The storage site for “Sapsan” operational-tactical missiles and their components was the target of a targeted attack by Russian forces against Ukraine’s missile program, as reported by military correspondent Alexander Kots. Kots extensively discussed on his Telegram channel how Russian intelligence data regarding the Ukrainian “Sapsan” missile project facilitated this precise strike, thereby effectively weakening Ukraine’s missile capabilities.
He emphasized that Sapsan missiles are suspected to have a range of 700 km, which theoretically enables Ukraine to reach significant strategic cities, including Moscow, from locations such as Kharkiv. Kots noted, “Such an opportunity cannot be allowed for the adversary. Therefore, we must systematically destroy their missile program.” He contended that this method effectively mitigates the strategic threat posed by Ukrainian operational-tactical missiles, which are capable of striking targets located deep within Russian and allied territory.
Sapsan Missile
There are multiple alternative names for the Sapsan ballistic missile system. The export version is referred to as Grom-2, while the Ukrainian designation is Hrim-2. The system is also occasionally referred to as OTRK Sapsan, which is an acronym for Operational-Tactical Missile Complex Sapsan.
The missile system was designed by the PA Yuzhmash manufacturing facility and the KB Pivdenne design bureau of Ukraine. The export version (Hrim-2) has a range of 50 to 280 kilometers, while the Ukrainian military version is reported to be capable of reaching up to 700 kilometers. The range is contingent upon the specific version. According to certain public sources, its range may extend to 300 to 500 kilometers, or potentially even further.
The payload of the Sapsan missile is approximately 480 kilograms and may consist of either a unitary warhead or cluster munitions that are intended for various strategic objectives. It is designed to evade modern air defense systems by adhering to aero-ballistic flight trajectories, which render it more difficult to intercept.
The system employs a 10-wheeled Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL) vehicle that is capable of transporting and launching two missiles to enhance its mobility and launch capabilities. The Sapsan’s guidance system is designed to achieve precise target engagement through the integration of inertial navigation, camera, and radar technologies.
The missile system is capable of launching both ballistic and cruise missiles, making it a versatile weapon for long-range deterrence and precision strikes against stationary targets.
The Sapsan missile system was created subsequent to Ukraine’s declaration of independence. In 2006, Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council acknowledged that the current Soviet-era Tochka-U missile system, which had a maximum range of 120 km, was outdated and required maintenance and enhancements from Russian companies. Consequently, the necessity for a new missile system was identified.
Subsequently, KB Pivdenne was assigned the responsibility of creating a novel missile system known as “Sapsan.” Development commenced in 2007 with an agreement on operational requirements; however, funding was interrupted during the 2008 financial crisis and subsequently ceased in 2013. In 2014, the program was reactivated following the onset of conflict with Russia, utilizing the knowledge gained from the export variant of the missile, Hrim-2.
The development of the missile system was significantly expedited following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. In May 2025, Ukraine effectively executed its initial combat test of the Sapsan missile, which struck a Russian military target from a distance of nearly 300 kilometers. Shortly thereafter, the confirmation of serial production marked a significant milestone in Ukraine’s defense industry and long-range strike capabilities.
The Sapsan missile is frequently compared to the Russian Iskander missile system due to its operational role, accuracy, and range, as both systems are critical deterrents in their respective arsenals.
Russia Previously Targeted the Production Center
Russia struck both storage and production facilities associated with the Sapsan program in August 2025, as confirmed by numerous independent and official reports. The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) and Defense Ministry have stated that these joint operations were directed at Ukrainian missile production and assembly facilities in Dnipropetrovsk and Sumy. Additionally, Russia relocated backup facilities in the Zhytomyr region, including the Pavlograd Chemical Plant and other technical bases associated with the missile’s manufacture.
The attacks, carried out from July to mid-August, aimed to hinder Ukraine’s ability to produce and launch Sapsan/Hrim-2 missiles. Russia regards these missiles as a substantial threat, particularly due to their capacity to penetrate deep into Russian and Belarusian territory. According to Russian officials, these operations effectively devastated the missile program’s technical and logistical infrastructure.
So, the recent damage to Sapsan’s production and storage facilities is seen as a key moment because it limits Ukraine’s ability to carry out long-range missile attacks and shows how well Russian intelligence and the military are working together. This action underscores the ongoing technological competition and the extent to which both parties are prepared to go to mitigate perceived existential threats in the conflict.