Ukraine says it used ballistic missile 'Pelican' against Russia for the first time

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that the country's defense forces struck several targets in the Moscow region using a wide range of long-range weapons and drones. According to a post on his Telegram channel, the operation marked the first officially confirmed use of the ballistic missile known as 'Pelican,' also designated FP-7.

Targets and forces involved

Zelensky said the strikes hit a major Russian oil industry facility and a logistics site used by Russian forces. The operation involved troops from Ukraine's Security Service, the Unmanned Systems Forces, Special Operations Forces, the Main Intelligence Directorate, and the Foreign Intelligence Service. Besides the Pelican missile, several other long-range weapons and drones were used, including FP-1, RZ-100, MICH-2000, Palianytsia, Vendetta, Lyutyi, Bars, Flamingo, and Yanvar.

Monitoring channels reported that among the targets were an oil refinery in Kapotnya, part of Moscow, and the Sofьino logistics technology park. A large fire broke out at the refinery following the strike. Moscow region Governor Andrei Vorobyov confirmed that two people were killed and six others injured in the attack.

Refinery previously targeted

The Kapotnya oil refinery has been struck by Ukraine before, including attacks on June 16 and June 18 of this year. The June strikes damaged a primary oil processing unit that had accounted for roughly 53% of the refinery's total processing capacity.

Zelensky said such facilities generate billions of dollars that sustain Russia's war effort, adding that sanctions have also been imposed on a company in the Voronezh region. He called on Moscow to end the war and choose peace, stressing that opportunities for de-escalation still exist in the energy and food security sectors, provided there is political will. The president thanked everyone strengthening Ukraine's long-range strike capabilities and those reinforcing them with sanctions pressure.