One of Ukraine’s leading arms manufacturers, Fire Point, says it has entered the satellite sector after successfully launching two satellites this year and is preparing to deploy dozens more in 2027. According to reporting by the Financial Times, the company is seeking to position itself as a cornerstone of Europe’s future defense infrastructure while reducing Ukraine’s reliance on American intelligence systems and Western technology providers.
Denys Shtilierman, co-founder and chief designer of Fire Point, told the Financial Times that the company is significantly expanding production of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and long-range drones. He said Fire Point is also working on what he described as a “pan-European air-defense shield” intended to free European governments from dependence on a limited group of Western defense manufacturers. Shtilierman stated that the company’s mission extends beyond weapons production, arguing that Fire Point is selling “independence in security.”
Ukraine has accelerated domestic military innovation following tensions with Washington last year, including a clash between former US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that temporarily disrupted intelligence sharing between Kyiv and Washington. Concerns over dependence on Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite system have also intensified after reports emerged that Russian forces had used the network to assist drone operations inside Ukraine.
The Financial Times reported that several European governments and defense companies are now exploring partnerships with Fire Point to jointly produce Ukrainian-designed missiles and drones, many of which are significantly cheaper than Western alternatives. The shift comes as Europe grows increasingly concerned about the long-term reliability of US security guarantees and seeks to strengthen its own defense capabilities using battlefield-tested Ukrainian technology.
Despite its rapid expansion, Fire Point has become embroiled in controversy. Shtilierman and other company executives have faced allegations that they used political connections linked to President Zelenskyy to secure major state contracts. Ukrainian anti-corruption investigators have launched probes into the company’s activities, triggering calls for audits and even proposals to nationalize the manufacturer.
Shtilierman denied any wrongdoing and insisted that the company’s operations are legitimate. Speaking to the Financial Times, he argued that investigations and media attacks against Fire Point ultimately benefit Russia by slowing Ukrainian weapons production. He also claimed that rumors surrounding the company had already disrupted international agreements, including a planned solid rocket fuel project with Denmark that was reportedly frozen after Ukrainian media published alleged transcripts linking Fire Point to a former Zelenskyy business associate.
The scrutiny has also extended to Shtilierman’s personal history in Russia, where public records reportedly show previous legal troubles and debt disputes. Shtilierman acknowledged serving prison time in Russia but stated he severed ties with the country years ago and no longer maintains business interests there.
Fire Point emerged after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, focusing on long-range drones and cruise missiles capable of striking targets deep inside Russian territory. Videos circulating on Russian social media have allegedly shown Fire Point drones attacking oil refineries and energy infrastructure, including a refinery in Tuapse that reportedly triggered toxic black smoke and rain.
In remarks that may alarm international observers, Shtilierman suggested that Fire Point’s drone technology could be used to create “kill zones” extending hundreds of kilometers into hostile territory. He claimed such systems could potentially be deployed not only against Russian military infrastructure but also in regions such as Iran or along maritime routes in the Baltic and Black Seas if approved by Ukraine’s Western allies.
At the same time, the Pentagon is reportedly showing growing interest in Ukrainian military technology. The Financial Times said Kyiv and Washington are preparing a draft agreement that would allow Ukrainian drones to be exported to the United States for military testing, potentially marking the first arrangement of its kind between the two countries.
Inside Fire Point’s facilities, production has expanded at extraordinary speed. The company now employs nearly 6,000 workers across around 70 sites throughout Ukraine, dispersing manufacturing to minimize the risk of Russian strikes destroying production lines. Engineers are producing long-range FP-1 drones, FP-2 strike UAVs, and the company’s flagship “Flamingo” cruise missile, which reportedly has a range of up to 3,000 kilometers — nearly twice that of the American Tomahawk missile.
According to the Financial Times, Fire Point currently manufactures around 200 Flamingo missiles per month, though Shtilierman said production could rise substantially with additional funding and orders. The company’s ballistic missile systems, including the FP-7 and FP-9, are also undergoing battlefield testing and could potentially place Moscow within striking distance.
European governments are increasingly paying attention. Germany has reportedly shown particular interest in Fire Point’s systems as Berlin explores alternatives to US-made weapons. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius recently praised Ukraine’s rapid technological advances during a visit to Kyiv and confirmed that discussions are underway regarding joint ventures involving drones, air defense systems, and electronic warfare technologies.
The Financial Times also reported that Fire Point may be cooperating with German defense company Diehl Defence on a new anti-ballistic missile shield project for Europe known as “Freya.” Company engineers say the goal is to build a cheaper and more scalable missile defense network capable of being deployed rapidly across the continent.
As the war in Ukraine reshapes Europe’s defense priorities, Fire Point’s rise highlights both the extraordinary speed of Ukrainian military innovation and the growing political risks surrounding the country’s booming wartime defense industry.
