Destinus announced on October 29 that it has produced 1,750 Ruta B1 cruise missiles, achieving a monthly output of nearly 300 missiles. The company stated that this level of production surpasses the total annual cruise missile production in Europe prior to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
The increased production highlights a critical supply issue for Ukraine, which is facing a shortage of mini jet engines essential for its drone strike programs. According to Reuters, in April, the Czech manufacturer ZofiTech was producing around 200 mini jet engines per month, primarily for Ukraine. However, demand is expected to rise into the thousands in the coming months, as Ukraine aims to expand its production of drones and cruise missiles that rely on the engines Destinus is producing.
Destinus Developments
Destinus CEO Mikhail Kokorich confirmed that the company is manufacturing turbojet engines in the approximately 1.5-kilonewton class for its missiles and for other missile manufacturers. The Ruta B1 is powered by Destinus’s T150 engine, and in June, the company announced the completion of its 1,000th T150 engine. The production line is engineered to support the manufacture of thousands of missile systems annually, although Destinus has not disclosed the current rate of engine production.
Destinus has also commenced production of the larger Ruta Block 2 missile, which is designed to carry a 250-kilogram payload over distances exceeding 700 kilometers. This model contrasts with the Block 1 missile, which has a range of approximately 300 kilometers and can be stored, transported, and launched from the same container. A third version, Block 3, is in the pipeline with a planned range of 2,000 kilometers, and flight tests are slated for 2027.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy acknowledged the operational use of the Ruta in October 2025. Shortly thereafter, he indicated that mass production of the Ruta and Flamingo missiles was anticipated by the end of that year. In a June 2026 statement, former Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov revealed that the Netherlands was prepared to finance around 700 Rutas for Ukraine, though the specific version was not mentioned.
Kokorich emphasized that to establish effective deterrence, Europe would require “tens of thousands of missiles.” He pointed out that the challenges are shifting from manufacturing to integration, stressing that European countries must develop the necessary military units and logistics to support such missile stockpiles.
He also noted that Europe would need to think about the infrastructure required for storing, transporting, and maintaining these precision-strike weapons.
Additionally, Kokorich stated that Destinus does not use any Chinese components in its manufacturing process. He highlighted that, while having access to Chinese suppliers could reduce production costs and time, most future demand will likely be for cheaper missiles with ranges under 1,000 kilometers. Destinus is collaborating with Rheinmetall to develop cruise missiles and ammunition for multiple-launch rocket systems, including a proposed European equivalent to the GMLRS rockets used by HIMARS.
