Made in Ukraine: What to know about Ukraine’s weapons Ruta, Peklo, and Tryzub
Photo: the latest jet strike UAVs or Peklo drone missile (president.gov.ua)
Ukraine is accelerating the development of domestically produced weapons. In recent days, in addition to the Neptune missile, which sank Russia's cruiser Moskva in the spring of 2022, the Peklo and Ruta missiles, as well as the Tryzub laser air defense system, have become a topic of widespread discussion.
More details about these weapons can be found in the material by RBC-Ukraine.
Contents:
- Why Ukraine needs new developments
- Peklo drone missile: Key details on the new weapon
- Ruta missile: Successful tests and big expectations
- Tryzub laser: Will Ukraine make a revolution in air defense
Why Ukraine needs new developments
The backbone of Ukraine's defense industry has been its long-range strike drone program, which continues to prove effective, regularly hitting targets hundreds of kilometers inside Russia.
Drones have the advantage of relatively quick and easy production, but they offer only a partial solution to Ukraine’s challenges. In the long term, it is critical for Ukraine to possess two key strike capabilities: long-range UAVs and cruise or ballistic missiles.
In November, Russia targeted Dnipro using its Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile, which was interpreted as a warning of its readiness to use its nuclear arsenal. Just days later, Ukrainian drones retaliated by striking the Kapustin Yar training ground, from which the Oreshnik was launched. That strike demonstrated Ukraine’s ability to hit targets over 650 km away, far beyond the range of missiles provided by the US and other Western partners.
By early December, Ukraine began receiving its domestically developed missiles. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the delivery of the first batch of Peklo missile drones to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and shortly afterward confirmed the successful testing of the Ruta missile.
The emergence of such weapons is due to the fact that long-range drones with internal combustion engines are not able to solve a number of tasks. In particular, to quickly cover long distances, break through Russian mobile fire groups, and strike targets unexpectedly, explains aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi.
“New drones and missiles like Peklo and Ruta will allow Ukraine to overcome enemy air defenses more effectively. Of course, we would like 450 kg of explosives to hit decision-making centers, but it takes time to restore what Ukraine’s missile program has lost over many years,” he told RBC-Ukraine.
Peklo drone missile: Key details on the new weapon
Until December 6, little was known about the Peklo drone missile or jet-propelled drone. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy showcased footage of dozens of units and announced that Peklo has entered serial production.
“This is a Ukrainian weapon that has already been proven in combat use. Today we handed over the first batch to Ukrainian Defense Forces. Now the task is to increase production and use,” Zelenskyy stated.
Herman Smetanin, Ukraine’s Minister for Strategic Industries, noted that Peklo was developed from scratch in record time - within a year. Not much is known about its characteristics today:
- Flight speed: up to 700 km/h
- Range: up to 700 km
According to Smetanin, efforts are ongoing to enhance electronic warfare (EW) resistance, targeting accuracy, and other capabilities. Additionally, new warhead types are being developed for Peklo to expand its range of potential targets.
Photo: the latest development - the Peklo drone missile (president.gov.ua)
Ukrainian defense portal Defense Express, analyzing photos and videos, concludes that the Peklo is not a drone missile but rather a compact cruise missile.
In terms of size, the missile's length and wingspan are estimated to reach up to 2 meters. The warhead weight is likely no more than 50 kg, though increasing its size is possible with a proportional reduction in range.
"Such weapons can effectively target oil refineries, depots, and anything highly flammable. Believe me, even 50 kg of explosive is enough to blow up an explosion hazardous facility," aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi emphasizes.
For strikes on larger industrial facilities, more powerful weapons are required. However, Peklo is well-suited for hitting enemy airfields, grounded aircraft, and aviation maintenance facilities, Khrapchynskyi notes.
The missile's body is built using using jet technology - metal with rivets. It likely consists of several large sections to simplify assembly. Its fixed wings improve aerodynamics, while the V-shaped tail structure suggests weight-saving measures.
The launch method remains unclear. On one hand, its long fixed wings imply it is unlikely to launch from an aircraft. On the other, turbojet-powered drones typically require rocket boosters for ground-based launches.
Claims of combat use without follow-up reports suggest that Peklo is being used in combined attacks by Ukraine's Defense Forces. "Besides this, there’s also Palianytsia, which is being actively used. All of this puts added strain on enemy air defenses. We need different weapons that would significantly overload it," Khrapchynskyi concludes.
Ruta missile: Successful tests and big expectations
On December 10, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced the successful testing of Ukraine's new missile, Ruta. He noted that while Ukrainian missiles once seemed like science fiction, they are now a reality.
"The Palianytsia missile has gone into serial production. The Peklo missile drone has successfully completed its first combat applications. Recently, we delivered the first batch to our Defense Forces. Successful tests of the new Ruta missile are underway. The long-range Neptune will soon become a terrifying reality for the occupiers," Zelenskyy said.
The Ruta missile is likely the result of work by the European company Destinus. Earlier reports suggested deliveries of a product under this name began in 2024. Initially, the company's website described Ruta as a jet-powered drone with a range of 300 km. However, more detailed images later emerged, indicating that Ruta resembles a conventional cruise missile.
The missile appears to feature essential components: a warhead, fixed wings, a fuel tank, an electronics block, and a compact turbojet engine. It is reported that the Ruta is launched using a rocket booster.
Photo: Ruta missile model (destinus.com)
According to Defense Express, the Eurosatory 2024 exhibition demonstrated a sample that could be a full-size model. Analysts estimate the warhead's weight to be in the range of dozens of kilograms, but given its range of up to 300 km, it could be closer to 100 kg.
The primary advantage of the Ruta missile is its high-speed flight capability, estimated between 500 - 800 km/h. This speed reduces the effectiveness of Russian mobile air defenses and eliminates helicopters as a viable countermeasure in Russia's anti-drone systems, the publication notes.
Ukraine has many similar projects, explains aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi. For instance, the Neptune missile was originally designed for launches from land, sea, and air platforms.
"Of course, Neptune allowed for various payloads and ranges. When we speak about modularity in modern weaponry, we are addressing a key challenge for the future. Developing such elements brings us closer to having our own versions of Storm Shadow and Taurus missiles, which are precise and capable of fulfilling diverse tasks," Khrapchynskyi said.
Regarding Ruta, it remains unclear when it will see mass deployment on the battlefield. However, scaling production and operational integration depend heavily on the performance of prototypes. "The process is complex, but under wartime conditions, I believe that the military is interested in speeding up the process," he added.
Tryzub laser: Will Ukraine make a revolution in air defense
Yesterday, Vadym Sukharevskyi, commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said that Ukraine had received its own laser weapons.
"Ukraine is now the fifth country to have such laser technology. Currently, we can down aircraft at over 2 km altitude using this laser," Sukharevskyi announced at the We Build Ukraine conference.
Given the reported range and target types of the Tryzub system, this suggests a fundamentally new air defense capability, though still in the prototype stage, explains aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi.
Laser weaponry has been under development since the mid-20th century. However, its practical use for air defense only became viable with advances in computational systems and radar technologies, which can calculate precise interception points.
While details on Tryzub’s specifications, design, and operational range remain unknown, comparisons can be drawn to existing systems. The US AN/SEQ-3 (LaWS), with a power output of up to 50 kW, can hit targets at a range of 1.6 km. The British DragonFire, with similar power, has demonstrated the ability to shoot down drones at distances up to 2 km. Notably, former UK Defense Secretary Grant Shapps announced plans to transfer the system to Ukraine for testing, but there has been no news about it since.
Video: an example of the operation of American laser weapons
Unlike conventional air defense systems, which destroy aerial targets through direct hits or fragmentation from interceptors, a laser beam instantly heats the target to extreme temperatures, causing it to melt or even vaporize.
Israel’s Iron Beam system, for example, employs a 100 kW beam with a range of 7 km, effectively neutralizing swarms of drones and anti-ship missiles. According to reports, it operates with high precision and at the speed of light.
If Ukraine’s Tryzub laser can indeed shoot down aircraft at altitudes of 2 km, this marks a highly promising development, even as the system awaits further scaling and enhancements, writes Defense Express.
“Of course, we have a direction in the development of air defense that includes not only the modernization of Soviet air defense systems to FrankenSAM. We are now working toward a creating an air defense system with modern means of destruction: from interceptor drones and small missiles to laser weapons,” Khrapchynskyi explains.
One of the key advantages of laser systems is their low operational cost. For example, South Korea’s laser weapon, part of its Star Wars project, can burn out drone engines or electrical systems within 10 seconds at a cost of just $1.50 per shot.
“Of course, Tryzub won’t fire for free, but its costs will be far lower compared to missiles used by conventional air defense systems,” Khrapchynskyi adds.
Sources: President Zelenskyy’s statements, official presidential website, reports from Defense Express, and comments by aviation expert Anatolii Khrapchynskyi
