Ukraine has quietly launched serial production of its domestically developed Flamingo cruise missile, according to photos and reporting from the Associated Press. The missile, manufactured by the defense company Fire Point, reportedly has a range of 3,000 km (1,864 miles), though official specifications have not been confirmed. The Ukrainian military has not commented on how soon the weapon will be deployed in combat.

Strategic breakthrough in defense production

The Flamingo joins a growing arsenal of locally produced long-range weapons, a pillar of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s strategy to reduce reliance on delayed Western arms shipments. In November 2024, Zelensky said Ukraine had built its first 100 long-range missiles. By April 2025, he reported that more than 40% of Ukraine’s weapons on the front lines were domestically produced — including 95% of drones. In June, Ukraine confirmed that its Sapsan ballistic missile had passed combat tests and was also moving to serial production.

The broader context

The announcement came just hours before Russia launched a wave of missile strikes across Ukraine, underscoring the urgency of strengthening the country’s defense industry. The Flamingo’s range would put strategic targets deep inside Russian territory within reach, a capability that Kyiv has lacked since the war began.