Britain unveils Project Nightfall, a rapid short-range ballistic missile system for Ukraine, with prototypes expected within a year of contract award and a focus on deep-strike capability and rapid, flexible launches.

The broader context includes ongoing Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, civilian casualties, winter hardships, and international reaction as the UN Security Council debates the crisis.

Nightfall missiles are designed for high-threat battlefields, resilient against heavy electromagnetic interference, and capable of being fired from various platforms in quick volleys with swift withdrawal.

The announcement follows a Russian hypersonic Oreshnik attack that Western leaders condemned as an escalation targeting civilians.

UK Defence Secretary emphasizes supporting Ukraine with advanced weapons to strengthen its defense amid recent air raids and civilian strikes.

He also notes the UK’s intent to arm Ukrainians to push back against aggression, framing the move as a response to Russia’s long-range attacks on civilian targets.

Since the plan’s unveiling, Russian missile and drone activity has intensified around Kyiv, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Lviv, with Ukraine claiming damage to offshore oil platforms in the Caspian Sea.

Nightfall missiles carry a 200 kg conventional warhead, with costs up to £800,000 per unit, and the UK plans to produce about 10 missile systems per month.

The system aims for multi-platform launchability, simultaneous volleys, and rapid reload/relocation to minimize exposure to retaliatory strikes.

Britain commits £200 million to prepare for potential troop deployment to Ukraine, including vehicle modernization, communications upgrades, and drone defenses, as part of multinational readiness.

The initiative frames Russia’s use of ballistic missiles against civilian infrastructure as a prompt for Western states to bolster Ukraine with modern defense capabilities.

Nightfall targets a range beyond 500 kilometers with a 200-kilogram warhead, enabling fast strikes on key targets and swift withdrawal.