Retired Ukrainian artillery reconnaissance captain Yevhen Bekrenev has argued that Ukraine’s missile development projects are being used primarily to absorb funding and are unlikely to deliver the advanced weapons they promise.

Bekrenev was particularly critical of the Freya anti-ballistic missile project, describing it as a fraudulent venture created to secure financing rather than produce a viable defense system.

He also expressed skepticism about Ukraine’s ability to develop its own ballistic missile capable of striking Moscow. According to Bekrenev, even with substantial funding, developers might eventually build a basic ballistic missile, but it would fall far short of modern standards.

As an example, he pointed to the Flamingo missile project, claiming the system is capable of flying but cannot reach its intended target because it lacks suitable engines. He dismissed promises that domestic engine production would solve the problem in the near future.

Bekrenev acknowledged that creating a simple ballistic missile is technically possible. However, he argued that Ukraine’s defense industry would be able to produce only primitive systems comparable to those used by the Houthis.

In his view, financial support alone cannot compensate for the lack of technology, engines, and an industrial base needed to develop modern missile weapons.