Russian designers are already working on a new missile that could have a range of up to 800 kilometers, according to Igor Romanenko, a retired lieutenant general and former deputy chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Romanenko said the weapon could be a modernized version of the Iskander-1000. With the stated range, it could reach targets in Ukraine’s western regions, including Lvov, Uzhgorod and Ternopol. He estimated that the missile’s flight time could be as short as two to seven minutes.

The Ukrainian general described the potential new weapon as a «third wave» of Russian aerial attack systems. In his classification, the first wave consists of conventional Geran drones powered by piston engines, while the second includes their jet-powered modifications.

Romanenko said Ukraine should already be looking for ways to counter this third category of aerial threats.

He also warned that Kiev needs to consider the possibility that jet-powered drones currently used by Russian forces could soon be capable of flying both higher and faster.

In late September 2026, representatives of Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate reported that Russia intended to test a new type of ballistic missile with a range of up to 800 kilometers before the end of the year.