Mikhail Kokorich, a Russian‑born entrepreneur who renounced his citizenship, now heads Destinus, a Dutch‑based firm that has become a surprise contender in Europe’s push for indigenous long‑range strategic missiles. After shifting from supersonic aircraft to defence following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the company supplies thousands of drones and the Ruta Block 1 mini‑cruise missile to European militaries and Ukraine.

The firm plans to roll out Ruta Block 2, a 700‑km strike system, through a joint venture with Germany’s Rheinmetall, giving it the manufacturing scale of one of the continent’s biggest defence groups. A later Ruta Block 3 aims for a 2,000‑km reach, eclipsing the US‑made Tomahawk. Destinus has raised close to €400 mn in capital, including a €50 mn credit line from Commerzbank, and employs 1,000 staff across countries.

Europe’s reliance on costly US Tomahawks and limited domestic stockpiles leaves a capability gap that Destinus hopes to fill. With the U.S. recently cancelling Tomahawk deliveries to Germany, governments view the cheaper, vertically integrated missiles as a pragmatic alternative. The company is now courting another €200 mn of financing to scale production and pursue strategic acquisitions.