Since the war began in 2022, Ukraine's need for long-range missiles capable of reaching deep into Russia, including Moscow, has increased. Despite receiving ATACMS, Storm Shadow, and SCALP missiles from Western countries, restrictions on their use inside Russian territory prompted Kyiv to develop its own missile systems.
Ukraine, which has stood out with its advances in unmanned aerial vehicles, is now drawing attention with Flamingo missiles. According to open sources, these missiles were first fired in August 2025, reaching just 170 kilometers inside Russia, then about 500 kilometers deep on February 12, 2026. Ukrainian officials said the longest-range strikes were on June 10 against a weapons factory in Cheboksary, the capital of Chuvashia, and on June 26 against the Titan-Barrikady plant in Volgograd. These targets are located approximately 900 and 400 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, respectively.
Moscow within range
Given the distance Flamingo has reached, the capital Moscow is already within the missile's range. Although the launch point is unknown, even measured from Kyiv, Moscow is about 700 kilometers away. Executives from the manufacturer Fire Point, however, stated the missile's range as 3,000 kilometers; if correct, St. Petersburg and all of western Russia would be within striking distance.
Warhead reaches 1 ton
According to information on the company's website, the Flamingo's warhead weighs about 1 ton. That is twice the weight of the warhead on US Tomahawk missiles. Carbon fiber is used extensively for low radar visibility and weight savings, while the power unit reportedly uses converted jet engines from scrapped aircraft, and the design includes old Soviet-era aircraft bombs.
The missile, about 12-14 meters long, costs between $500,000 and $1 million. It can reach a top speed of 950 kilometers per hour, is ready to fire in 20-40 minutes, and can cruise for four hours.
Production numbers and success rate unclear
The Ukrainian government has not released official data on the number of Flamingo missiles produced so far. According to social media accounts analyzing open sources and intelligence, only six of the 39 missiles used by the military hit their targets. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has released videos of attacks using Flamingo, leading to speculation that the military will focus on these missiles.
