EUROPE — European defence company Destinus has increased Ruta cruise missile production to nearly 300 units per month and started manufacturing the next-generation Ruta Block 2. The company said its monthly output exceeds Europe’s total annual cruise missile production before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Destinus has manufactured more than 1,750 Ruta Block 1 (B1) missiles, currently in service with the Ukrainian Defense Forces.
In-House Production and Supply Chain
Destinus now manufactures its own airframes, avionics, guidance systems and engines. The Ruta Block 1 is powered by the T150 turbojet engine, which produces approximately 1.5 kN of thrust. The company also supplies the engine to other defence manufacturers and expects to meet European demand for this propulsion class, including Ukrainian orders, by 2027.
Destinus has established a supply chain without Chinese components to avoid geopolitical vulnerabilities, despite the potential cost and production benefits of working with Chinese suppliers.
The Ruta Block 1 has a range exceeding 300 km, a payload capacity of up to 150 kg, and is designed for precision strikes against fixed military targets. It can fly at low altitude, follow terrain and navigate without Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals.
Ruta Block 2 and Block 3 Development
Destinus has started manufacturing the Ruta Block 2, designed for precision strikes against hardened and high-value targets. It has a payload capacity of 250 kg, a range exceeding 700 km, and an AI-integrated electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) seeker for terminal guidance.
The Block 2 features a box-shaped fuselage, folding wings and a solid-fuel booster. It can be stored, transported and launched directly from a sealed canister without a separate launch rail, simplifying logistics and deployment.
The company is also developing the Ruta Block 3 with Rheinmetall, targeting a range of 2,000 km. Flight tests are scheduled for 2027.
Combat Deployment and Operational Challenges
Ukraine is using Ruta missiles against Russian targets. Public confirmation of the Block 1’s combat use emerged in July 2026, when Russian forces released images of missile debris matching its design. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had acknowledged operational use in October 2025.
In June 2026, the Netherlands announced financing for approximately 700 Ruta missiles for Ukraine.
Destinus CEO Mikhail Kokorich said the main challenge is shifting from production to operational deployment. European armed forces need to establish dedicated units and infrastructure for missile storage, maintenance and target designation as their inventories expand.
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