Flamingo Missile: 3,000 km Range and Its Impact on Russian Targets in Crimea
Ukraine has announced the expansion of production of the long-range cruise missile FP-5 “Flamingo” and preparations for mass manufacturing by late 2025 or early 2026. The project has already passed the testing stage and is being used in combat conditions. According to official statements, the missile is capable of covering a distance of up to 3,000 kilometers.
Details regarding production volumes and the full range of specifications remain undisclosed. However, the known parameters allow for an assessment of its potential as one of Ukraine’s most powerful long-range strike systems.
The FP-5 “Flamingo” is produced by the Ukrainian company Fire Point. The missile is described as a missile-drone with a maximum takeoff weight of approximately six tons. Launch is carried out using a solid-fuel rocket booster, after which flight is sustained by a domestically produced turbojet engine. Declared specifications include:
- maximum range up to 3,000 km;
- accuracy up to 14 meters at maximum distance;
- maximum speed approximately 900 km/h;
- cruising speed undisclosed;
- warhead up to 1,150 kg (initially 1,000 kg, later increased).
The combination of long range and a heavy warhead is the key feature of the “Flamingo.” For comparison: the warhead of the Russian Iskander weighs around 480 kg, the Kalibr approximately 450 kg, and the Oniks about 300 kg. Even accounting for differences in class and purpose, the Ukrainian system stands out primarily for its payload weight combined with significant range.
Initial Deployment and Gradual Improvement in Effectiveness
According to the General Staff, “Flamingo” began to be used in spring 2025. The President of Ukraine has reported a gradual increase in the hit rate. In one of the latest applications, out of five missiles launched, one reached its target while four were intercepted by Russian air defense systems. Officials emphasize that the system continues to improve. In August of last year, plans were announced to move toward mass production after completing the necessary testing cycle. The strike on a border outpost near Voloshyne close to Armyansk is viewed by experts as part of the process of refining combat deployment. The choice of target was explained by its proximity to Ukrainian-controlled territory, allowing operational monitoring of results.
A range of 3,000 km enables the missile to reach not only Crimea but also facilities deep inside Russian territory. However, the Crimean direction holds particular importance. According to military experts, in Crimea the “Flamingo” may be relevant for:
- ammunition depots and drone storage facilities;
- logistical infrastructure supporting Russian forces;
- electrical substations through which power is supplied;
- transport infrastructure, including spans of the Kerch Bridge.
A warhead exceeding 1,000 kg provides the capability to strike fortified depots and infrastructure sites that are difficult to destroy with less powerful systems. Experts note that a series of precise strikes on bridge spans could create critical damage for logistics.
Advantages of the Cruise Missile Design
“Flamingo” is a cruise missile. This means it allows flexible route planning. Unlike ballistic missiles, which follow predictable trajectories, a cruise missile can alter direction, bypass air defense zones, and use a complex flight profile. Missile security researcher Fabian Hoffmann has pointed out that with such range, the missile can follow a complicated route, effectively searching for gaps in air defense. This characteristic increases its potential effectiveness, provided high-quality mission planning.
The BBC has noted similarities between the “Flamingo” and the Milanion FP-5 missile presented by the British company Milanion Group in 2025. The declared specifications a warhead of around 1,000 kg, range up to 3,000 km, and speed up to 950 km/h are nearly identical. No official clarification has been provided regarding the degree of technological relationship. At the same time, Ukrainian defense analysts emphasize that European countries currently do not have serial systems with comparable characteristics, and their own programs remain at the development stage.
If mass production proceeds within the announced timeframe, the “Flamingo” will become one of Ukraine’s key long-range strike instruments. The combination of extended range, a powerful warhead, and flexible flight planning expands the spectrum of potential targets and introduces an additional deterrence factor. In the Crimean direction, this means the potential for systematic pressure on logistics, ammunition depots, and energy infrastructure. The declared characteristics provide grounds to view the “Flamingo” as an attempt to create a domestically produced high-capacity strike system capable of operating at strategic depth. The further development of the program and the transition to mass production will determine how fully these capabilities are realized in practice.
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