Ukraine's aims to produce long-range missiles and drones "are today a reality" after previously being in the realms of science fiction, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in Kiev on Tuesday as he honoured Ukrainian scientists.

A Ukrainian-made missile called “Ruta” had successful first tests as part of a fleet of new weapons the country is developing to fight Russia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Tuesday.

Ukraine has been looking for ever-stronger ways to strike Russia since the Kremlin ordered the full-scale invasion but Kyiv's allies and partners have not been very receptive to its pleas for permission to use their weapons on targets deep inside of Russia.

Ukraine has successfully tested a missile called Ruta. It can reach speeds of 500-800 km/h, the Ukrainian news and analytical portal Defense Express reports. According to media sources, Ruta looks like a cruise missile or a jet drone.