Work to create new missile systems capable of delivering nuclear weapons was underway in Ukraine - source

MOSCOW. March 6 (Interfax) - The work to create new missile systems that could be used as delivery means for nuclear weapons was underway in Ukraine, an informed source in a Russian competent agency told Interfax.

"Kyiv is covering up most of these developments by implementing joint projects with other countries," the source said.

"In particular, an agreement to interact with Turkey in the area of rocketry was reached in December 2013. The Ukrainian firms Yuzhmashzavod [Yuzhmash, Yuzhny Mashinbuilding Plant] and Yuzhnoye Design Office, both previously involved in creating the Soviet nuclear missile arsenal, should play the key part in this," according to the source.

"The key goal of this cooperation is to create a mobile system equipped with a solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile with a range of up to 1,500 km," the source said.

The source has noted that Yuzhmash is also engaged in developing the Grom-2 land-based mobile missile system, using money from Saudi Arabia. "The export version of Grom-2 will have a range of up to 280 km, according to statements made by Kyiv. However, experts say, it could be upgraded to expand the range of fire beyond 500 km (up to 1,000 km by some accounts). The military range Alibey in the Odesa region has been used for flight tests of missile equipment since 2017," the source said.