Ukraine’s leading weapons firm Fire Point has launched two satellites this year and is targeting dozens more by 2027 as part of a strategy to cut reliance on U.S. and Western technology. The company, co‑founded by Denys Shtilierman, is scaling up cruise and ballistic missile production while developing a pan‑European air‑defence shield that could lessen dependence on single manufacturers.

The push comes after a brief U.S. intelligence‑sharing pause following a 2023 Oval Office clash and a recent incident where Russian forces used Ukraine’s Starlink network to guide attack drones. European governments and defence groups are reportedly eyeing Fire Point’s cheaper drones and missiles, amid growing concern over potential waning U.S. security commitments to the continent.

Fire Point’s rapid rise has not been without controversy. Executives, including Shtilierman, face allegations of leveraging ties to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for contracts and are under a growing anti‑corruption probe that has stalled deals, such as a Danish solid‑rocket‑fuel contract. Despite the scrutiny, Shtilierman maintains the company’s operations are above board, citing past legal troubles in Russia and emphasizing that investigations only benefit Russia.

The firm’s long‑range UAVs have already targeted Russian energy infrastructure, with videos showing drones dive‑bombing refineries. Shtilierman envisions extending such tactics to create “kill zones” in Iran or to disrupt Russian oil tankers, pending U.S. approval. The Pentagon shows interest in Ukraine’s technology, hinting at a first‑of‑its‑kind cooperation agreement.