Kyiv, Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday (Aug 27), said that recently, his military carried out the first successful test of a domestically-produced ballistic missile, amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. 

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Speaking at a press conference in Kyiv, the Ukrainian president's remarks come after two consecutive nights of large-scale Russian bombardments across Ukraine, killing several people and battering energy infrastructure. 

"There has been a positive test of the first Ukrainian ballistic missile. I congratulate our defence industry on this. I can't share any more details about this missile," Zelensky said at the press conference. 

For a long time now, Ukraine has been trying to develop its own arms industry and boosting military production on its own territory, to become less dependent on Western military aid amid its ongoing war with Russia. 

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Watch |  Ukraine says Russia attacked with over 200 missiles and drones 

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Notably, Ukraine has signed agreements with Western arms companies for the production of small arms and ammunition. 

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Ukraine now controls 100 Russian settlements

As Ukraine continues its offensive into Russia's Kursk region, Kyiv's top military commander Gen Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Ukrainian troops control  1,294 sq km (500 sq miles) of Russian territory and 100 settlements. 

He added that about 594 Russian soldiers were also captured during the Kursk incursion.

Last week, Zelensky said Ukraine controlled over 1,250 sq km of Russian territory. 

Zelensky to present US with plan on ending war with Russia

The Ukrainian President, during the press conference in Kyiv, also said that he will present a roadmap on how he plans to end the war with Russia to presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, as well as United States President Joe Biden. 

Earlier in the day, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said that Washington's  involvement in Kyiv's ongoing incursion into the Kursk region was "an obvious fact", Russian state media TASS reported. 

Also read: Ukrainian drone hits Russian high-rise building, resembling 9/11 attack visuals

However, the US said that they did not take part in the operation. 

Ryabkov said that it was no longer an accusation that the United States was involved but "an obvious fact. Washington's escalatory path is becoming more and more challenging."

"The impression is that (US) colleagues have thrown away the remnants of common sense and believe that everything is permissible for them. Similar approaches are followed by their clientele in Kyiv."

He warned that such actions could further lead to severe consequences. 

(With inputs from agencies) 

Disclaimer: A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on Ukraine-Russia war on the ground and online. While WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos