Ukraine unveiled a new long-range weapon called the "Palianytsia," which combines features of both missiles and drones, enabling it to target deep within Russian territory without needing approval from allied nations. Ukrainian officials emphasized that this weapon was developed out of necessity due to Russia's aerial dominance since the conflict began in February 2022.

On Saturday, marking Ukraine’s 33rd anniversary of independence from the former Soviet Union, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the existence of the Palianytsia. Interestingly, the weapon is named after a type of Ukrainian bread, whose pronunciation was famously used to identify suspected spies during the early stages of the war. Zelenskyy described the Palianytsia as a "new class" of weapon.

That same day, the weapon was reportedly used for the first time, targeting a Russian military site in occupied territory, though specific details were withheld by officials. A Ukrainian military video suggested that the weapon’s range could extend up to 700 kilometers (430 miles), which is comparable to the U.S.-supplied ATACMS missile system. The video displayed a map showing Russian air bases, including the Savasleyka base, within the Palianytsia's striking range. Ukrainian sources believe it could potentially reach over 20 Russian airfields.

Although Western allies, including the United States, have supplied Ukraine with long-range weapons, they have limited Ukraine's ability to use them for strikes deep within Russia, fearing an escalation of the war. Ukraine, however, is eager to push beyond these restrictions and strike deeper into Russian territory, particularly against critical infrastructure.

A recent report from the Institute for the Study of War noted that Russia is using its vast territory to shield key military installations from Ukrainian strikes. It estimated that while around 250 military targets in Russia are within range of Ukraine’s long-range missiles, current restrictions limit Ukraine to only targeting 20 of them.

Ukraine's Minister of Digital Transformation, Mykhailo Fedorov, revealed that the next step in the project is to increase the production of the Palianytsia. Though he refrained from sharing specifics on the weapon's range or current stock, Fedorov emphasized that this new weapon could be a "game changer," allowing Ukraine to strike where Russia least expects.

Ukraine's military has been an experimental ground for new weapons, with both sides modifying existing equipment for new purposes. The Palianytsia represents a significant milestone for Ukraine, as one of the developers noted that it was developed entirely from scratch over the past 18 months, rather than being a continuation of an older Soviet project.

Ukraine's inability to fully counter Russia's long-range missile strikes has had devastating consequences. According to Ukraine’s Commander-in-Chief Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Russia has launched over 9,600 long-range missiles, with Ukrainian defenses able to intercept only a quarter of them. More than half of these missiles targeted civilian areas.

To reduce costs, the Ukrainian military is collaborating with private companies in the production of the Palianytsia, with each missile costing under $1 million. The involvement of private firms has been key in speeding up innovation, particularly in the production of drones that have been effective against Russian forces, including the Black Sea fleet.

Fedorov stressed the importance of Ukraine having its own arsenal of long-range weapons. "With weapons like these, we will feel more independent and confident," he said. He also pointed out Russia’s size as a potential weakness, noting that it would be difficult for Russia to produce enough air defense systems to protect such a vast area, giving Ukraine more opportunities to strike deep behind enemy lines.