Without a military background or degree: The furniture designer who became the CEO of a Ukrainian weapons empire

At the head of one of the largest defense companies in Ukraine, which employs 7,000 workers and produces drones and long-range missiles, stands 34-year-old Iryna Terekh, a furniture designer by training. She serves as the CEO and Chief Technology Officer of Fire Point, whose products are helping Ukraine shift the balance of power in the war. Terekh is one of the few female leaders in the Ukrainian defense sector, where approximately 90% of employees are men.

"I am extremely proud and feel a great responsibility to be a part of this. We must understand that all war doctrines are life-changing at this stage," she said.

Terekh studied architecture at the National University of Kyiv but did not complete her degree. In a 2017 interview, she explained that she dropped out at the end of her third year to focus on her business and raising her two children. Before the war, she owned a small company that produced outdoor furniture.

Entering the Defense Industry

Terekh’s entry into the world of weapons began with a harrowing experience: while attempting to escape Bucha with her mother, their vehicle came under Russian fire. While hiding in a basement, she documented the timing of the attacks, which eventually helped them escape. In March 2022, she wrote on Instagram: "I am one of those women who don't know how to fight. But I am sure of one thing: I will definitely do everything in my power to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again in my country."

Initially, she focused on humanitarian aid, then pivoted her company, Terekh Group, to produce concrete anti-tank fortifications. In late 2022, entrepreneur Denis Shtilerman, founder of Fire Point, recruited her as production manager.

Innovation and Mass Production

Terekh studied missile mechanics using old Soviet manuals and consulted with missile scientists. Leveraging her background in materials, she optimized the production process for drone wings, reducing manufacturing time from six days to just two and a half hours. The flagship FP-1 drone, with a range of nearly 4,000 km, has played a key role in strikes deep inside Russia.

The company also developed a powerful cruise missile nicknamed "Flamingo" due to its bright pink parts, which make debris easier to locate. According to Terekh, Fire Point currently produces over 60% of Ukraine's long-range missiles.

Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who joined the Fire Point board of directors last year, praised the speed at which Terekh adapted to the complexities of managing such a company. Terekh herself emphasizes the importance of flexibility: "The manager's task is to 'catch the waves,' to predict and understand how to act. You need to be prepared to solve any problem that arises during work, make decisions quickly, and always have several backup plans."

Despite her work with weapons, Terekh views them as a necessary tool for protecting Ukraine's sovereignty. "To build something nice, first you have to destroy something ugly," she said.