General Sîrskîi is preparing the army of the future: he wants missiles capable of hitting targets 2,000 kilometers away
The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Sîrskîi, approved the new plan for the development of the Missile and Artillery Forces until 2030, a document that provides for the deep modernization of the army and the expansion of long-range strike capabilities. The strategy comes as Kiev steps up its attacks on Russia's military and industrial infrastructure and seeks to reduce reliance on Soviet weaponry and ammunition supplied by allies.
Oleksandr Sîrski, head of the Ukrainian army/PHOTO: Profimedia
The announcement was made shortly after President Volodymyr Zelenskiy announced the launch of a wide-ranging military reform process aimed at both service conditions for servicemen and strengthening the army's combat capabilities.
According to General Sîrskîi, the Ukrainian artillery continues to face a number of major problems, including the dependence on ammunition from abroad, the logistical difficulties generated by the simultaneous use of several types of weapon systems, the limited range of some equipment and the lack of sufficient means of reconnaissance to identify targets.
Ukraine gradually gives up Soviet weapons
The new strategy calls for the gradual replacement of Soviet-caliber artillery systems with equipment produced in Ukraine, while retaining some of the best-performing Western systems already in service.
The military leadership in Kiev believes that the experience gained during the more than three years of war has demonstrated the need for a defense industry capable of independently supporting the needs of the army.
“While we are waging a difficult war today, we must simultaneously build the army of the future,” Sîrskîi said.
Cruise and ballistic missiles with a range of 2,000 kilometers
One of the most ambitious goals of the program is the development and mass production of cruise and ballistic missiles capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 2,000 kilometers.
According to the Ukrainian commander, the army must be able to hit targets at all levels of the Russian military apparatus – from the frontline areas to the strategic infrastructure deep within the territory of the Russian Federation.
Kiev thus aims to create a “balanced strike system”, which would allow maintaining pressure on the opponent and reduce the numerical advantage of the Russian army.
Target recognition becomes a priority
Another central element of the reform is the development of a modern artillery reconnaissance system.
According to Sîrskîi, modern warfare has demonstrated that the effectiveness of artillery fire directly depends on the speed with which information is collected, analyzed and transmitted to combat units.
In this context, Ukraine is investing heavily in reconnaissance drones, sensors and digital fire coordination systems.
Attacks deep in Russia are intensifying
Since early 2026, Ukraine has greatly expanded its medium- and long-range strike campaign, targeting military bases, industrial facilities and energy targets far behind the front.
Most of these operations are carried out with drones and missiles developed by Ukrainian industry.
In parallel with the intensification of attacks on Russian territory and military objectives in the occupied regions, the Ukrainian army also managed to achieve territorial gains.
According to the data presented by Sîrskîi, in May Ukrainian forces recaptured almost 100 square kilometers more than they lost, and since the beginning of the year the total area recovered exceeds 600 square kilometers.
The new military strategy suggests that Kiev is not limited to managing the current conflict, but is trying to build a modern armed force adapted to the technological wars of the coming decades.
