The British government has announced the launch of the Nightfall defense project, under which modern ballistic missiles with a range of over 500 km will be developed for the Armed Forces of Ukraine - capable of reaching Moscow.
The UK government has announced the launch of a large-scale defense initiative codenamed Nightfall, aimed at the accelerated development and delivery of modern ground-based ballistic missiles to Ukraine. The program is intended to enhance the capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces to strike strategically important targets far behind enemy lines and is viewed by London as a component of long-term military support for Kyiv. This was reported by Reuters.
According to the disclosed parameters, the Nightfall missile will have a range of over 500 kilometers, theoretically allowing it to reach targets deep in enemy territory. The warhead is designed to carry up to 200 kilograms of explosives, making the system suitable for hitting fortified and infrastructure targets.
The complex is planned to be deployed on mobile ground launchers. This configuration enables rapid serial launches and immediate position changes after firing, reducing the risk of counter-strikes. It is also noted that the system is designed to operate in conditions of intense electronic warfare.
The UK Ministry of Defence has already announced a tender worth £9 million for the creation of the first three prototypes. In the event of successful testing, plans are in place to establish serial production at a rate of up to 10 missiles per month, with the estimated cost of one unit not exceeding £800,000.
The announcement of Nightfall came against the backdrop of UK Defence Secretary John Gilli's visit to Kyiv, which took place from January 9 to 11, 2026. During the trip, the train carrying the British delegation made an emergency stop due to a massive missile strike by the Russian Federation. That same night, Russian troops used a “Oreshnik” ballistic missile against a target in Lviv, less than 60 kilometers from the NATO border.
After inspecting the aftermath of the shelling in Kyiv, John Gilli stated that the British side directly felt the threat that Ukraine faces daily and emphasized London’s intention not to limit itself to statements but to provide modern weaponry for effective resistance against Moscow's aggression.
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