Russia Deploys INF-Banned 9M729 Missiles Against Ukraine, Defying Arms Control Agreements

Russia has repeatedly launched a ground-launched cruise missile at Ukraine, an action stemming from the secret development of the missile that led to the disintegration of a significant arms-control treaty from the Cold War era, according to a report by Reuters on Friday.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha informed the news agency that Russia has executed 23 launches of the 9M729 missiles since late August, with Kyiv having recorded two previous launches in 2022.

The NATO alliance designates the 9M729 missiles, which are capable of carrying either nuclear or conventional warheads and are thought to be a version of the Iskander-K system, as SSC-8. Experts estimate that these missiles have a range of up to 2,500 kilometers (approximately 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 was believed to have the capability of exceeding the treaty’s limit of 500 kilometers (about 310 miles). The Kremlin has refuted these allegations.

In retaliation, Moscow imposed a one-sided moratorium on the deployment of intermediate-range missiles. However, in early August 2025, Russia’s Foreign Ministry declared an end to its voluntary ban on such missile deployments.

An unnamed senior Ukrainian official revealed to Reuters that Russia started deploying the 9M729 on August 21, shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Russian President Vladimir Putin for a summit in Alaska.

One missile launched on October 5 reportedly traveled over 1,200 kilometers (approximately 745 miles), resulting in the deaths of four individuals in the Lviv region. According to Reuters, analysts who examined images confirmed that missile debris was labeled 9M729.

The reported 23 launches over a span of 72 days equate to roughly one missile every three days.

Sybiha commented to Reuters in a written statement, “The utilization of the INF-banned 9M729 by Russia against Ukraine in recent months illustrates Putin’s disregard for the United States and President Trump’s diplomatic attempts to resolve Russia’s war against Ukraine.”

The White House did not provide comments regarding Russia’s deployment of the 9M729 missile.

The Kremlin referred inquiries about the strikes to Russia’s Defense Ministry, which did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.

Western analysts have expressed to Reuters that these strikes indicate a more hardened stance from Russia and raise alarms concerning European security, as the missiles were initially created to target NATO territories.