Kyiv Accuses Russia of Deploying INF Treaty-Breaking Missiles Against Ukraine – Reuters

Russia has engaged in repeated launches of a ground-launched cruise missile against Ukraine, a clandestine development that has led to the disintegration of a pivotal arms-control treaty from the Cold War era, as reported by Reuters on Friday.

According to Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, Russia has fired 9M729 missiles a total of 23 times since late August, with two prior launches recorded in 2022.

NATO identifies the 9M729 missiles, which can carry either nuclear or conventional warheads and are thought to be a variant of the Iskander-K system, as the SSC-8. Analysts estimate their operational range to be as far as 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles).

In 2019, the United States announced its withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, citing Russia’s covert development of the 9M729 missile, which is capable of exceeding the treaty’s range limit of 500 kilometers (310 miles). The Kremlin refuted these claims.

In retaliation, Moscow unilaterally imposed a moratorium on the deployment of intermediate-range missiles. However, in early August 2025, Russia’s Foreign Ministry declared it would lift this voluntary ban on such missile deployments.

A senior Ukrainian official, who chose to remain anonymous, informed Reuters that Russia commenced the deployment of the 9M729 on August 21, just days after U.S. President Donald Trump held a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska.

One missile, launched on October 5, reportedly covered over 1,200 kilometers (745 miles), resulting in four fatalities in the Lviv region. According to Reuters, analysts examining images have confirmed missile debris with the designation 9M729.

The 23 alleged missile launches within a span of 72 days amount to approximately one missile every three days.

Sybiha remarked to Reuters in written comments that «Russia’s deployment of the INF-forbidden 9M729 against Ukraine in recent months illustrates Putin’s disregard for the United States and President Trump’s diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving Russia’s war on Ukraine.»

The White House did not reply to inquiries regarding Russia’s usage of the 9M729.

Inquiries directed at the Kremlin concerning the missile strikes were referred to Russia’s Defense Ministry, which did not respond to Reuters’ request for comments.

Western analysts informed Reuters that the missile strikes point to a more resolute Russian posture and heighten concerns regarding European security, as these missiles were initially designed to target NATO territories.