13:14 08-11-2025

Ukraine May Lose Its Only Solid-Fuel Missile Factory

The Pavlograd Chemical Plant, Ukraine’s only solid-fuel missile producer, is at risk as fighting nears. Experts warn of halted production and major losses.

Ukraine may soon lose its only facility capable of producing solid rocket fuel, according to analysts from Defense Express (DE).

The publication noted that the Pavlograd Chemical Plant, located just 80 kilometers from the front line, is now within a dangerous proximity to combat zones. This, the observers said, puts the country’s missile production at serious risk — particularly the manufacturing of solid fuel for ballistic missiles such as Grom-2 (also known as Sapsan) and other systems of the same class.

Relocating the plant’s massive infrastructure — covering an area of about 700 hectares — is virtually impossible. The only alternative would be to build an entirely new facility from scratch, a process requiring huge investments, specialized personnel, and considerable time.

Overall, Defense Express reported that Ukraine’s missile production has almost completely halted due to destroyed factories, the loss of research laboratories, and missing fuel formulations. As a result, the country could be left without long-range missile capabilities unless it urgently invests in chemical production, protected manufacturing, and scientific research.

Earlier, on the night of November 7, Russian forces carried out a strike on the Pavlograd Chemical Plant, which assembles missiles for the Ukrainian military.