Ukraine launches serial production of Flamingo missile

Ukraine's domestically developed long-range Flamingo cruise missile has entered serial production, Associated Press (AP) photojournalist Efrem Lukatsky said on August 17.

Lukatsky, who was given access to photograph the missile at an undisclosed workshop of the Ukrainian defense company Fire Point on August 14, reported that the missile has a range of 3,000 km (1,864 miles).

The official technical specifications have not been publicly released.

Ukraine's military has not yet commented on the reported production. The production timeline has not been disclosed and it remains unclear when the Flamingo missiles will see regular use on the battlefield.

Domestically produced long-range weapons are of key importance to Ukraine's defence strategy, as Western partners have been slow in delivering adequate weaponry amid increasing Russian attacks and offensives.

In November 2024, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine had produced its first 100 missiles.

Since then, Ukraine has continued to increase domestic weapon production. Zelensky said on April 16 that over 40% of the weapons used on the front line are now produced in Ukraine, including over 95% of drones used on the battlefield.

In June, Ukrainian media reported that the homegrown short-range Sapsan ballistic missile had successfully completed combat testing and is in the process of serial production.

Zelenskyy also previously revealed that Ukraine had developed another domestic weapon, the hybrid Palianytsia missile-drone.