Iryna Terekh, a 34-year-old CEO of Fire Point, one of Ukraine’s largest drone manufacturers, is spearheading the development of a ballistic missile designed to reach Moscow. Terekh previously worked as an architect and in the construction of patios and outdoor furniture before shifting to the defense industry following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. She recently announced that the company is just months away from deploying Ukraine’s first domestically designed and manufactured ballistic missile, marking a significant step in Ukraine’s military self-reliance. Fire Point, co-founded by Terekh and Ukrainian businessman Denys Shtitlerman, initially aimed to produce 20 of its FP-1 drones per month. By 2024, the company had scaled up dramatically, regularly manufacturing 300-400 long-range attack drones per day. These drones have been used to strike Russian airfields, ammunition depots, and oil refineries. In June, a Fire Point cruise missile completed a mission of over 1,000 miles, which Terekh claimed as the longest-range strike ever carried out by a cruise missile in combat history. Terekh also stated that Ukraine has launched twice as many deep strikes into Russia as Russia has into Ukraine in 2026, with 60% of the Ukrainian attacks using Fire Point weapons. Ballistic missiles differ from cruise missiles in that they follow an arc trajectory, reaching higher altitudes and making them more challenging to intercept. This distinction gives Ukraine a strategic advantage in targeting Russian infrastructure and military assets. Fire Point is one of many Ukrainian startups that have transformed the country from a passive recipient of military aid into a hub of defense technology innovation. Other companies, such as Sine Engineering and the Fourth Law, have founders with diverse backgrounds outside the defense sector who have pivoted to new ventures. This shift highlights Ukraine’s growing capacity to design and produce advanced military technology. Ukraine’s innovative approach to defense manufacturing and procurement has drawn the attention of its allies. In 2025, the U.S. military announced a program to replicate Iran’s Shahed drones, known as "LUCAS," which had deployed long-range, cost-effective drones in the Middle East earlier that year. The U.S. and Ukrainian governments are expected to soon sign a new defense agreement that would expand Ukrainian military technology exports to the U.S. and establish joint ventures with American companies. This collaboration underscores the growing strategic partnership between the two nations.