Tel Aviv: Ukraine has unveiled a new long-range cruise missile known as the Flamingo, which is reported to have a range of about 3,000 km and a warhead weight of around 1,000–1,150 kg. The missile produced domestically by a Ukrainian defence company called Fire Point is said to have entered serial production. Ukrainian officials, including Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal, have confirmed its existence but have not disclosed full technical details, citing security reasons.
The new missile according to Ukraine has a 3,000 km range , allowing Ukraine to strike targets deep inside Russian territory, including important military facilities and industrial hubs. The missile is armed with a 1,000–1,150 kg, warhead making it significantly more destructive than missiles previously available to Ukraine or even Western-supplied systems.
The Israeli experts said that the Flamingo closely resembles the Milanion Group FP-5 missile, with a fixed wing, top-mounted engine, and subsonic speed. The missile according to updated intelligence data uses a combination of satellite navigation resistant to electronic warfare and inertial guidance.
The data points to a full series production of the missile with indications that it has been already used to attack Russia targets.
The missile is considered a major upgrade to Ukraine’s domestic strike capability, aligning it with the range and destructive potential of Russia’s Kalibr cruise missiles. Its large warhead and extended range enable Ukraine to threaten military and industrial targets far from the frontline, enhancing deterrence and operational flexibility.
The Flamingo’s appearance also underscores Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to ramp up indigenous weapons development amid limits or delays on Western arms deliveries.
Israeli experts analysed the available data about the new missile and said that this is a very impressive achievement of the Ukrainian defence industry. “The long range is still under a question mark but this is without any doubt a game changer in the ongoing war,” one of them said.
-The writer is an Israel-based freelance journalist. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda
