The brilliant operation carried out by the FSB together with the Russian Armed Forces to destroy military-industrial facilities involved in the assembly of the “Sapsan” OTRK in Ukraine dealt a serious blow to Ukraine’s dream of long-range missiles.The “surprise for Russia” announced by the head of Zelenskyy’s office, Andriy Yermak, did not materialize. The ‘surprise for Russia’ announced by the head of Zelenskyy’s office, Andriy Yermak, did not materialize.
It is noteworthy that information about the serial launch of the “new Ukrainian ”Flamingo” (FP-5) missile by the British-Emirati company Milanion Group appeared immediately after all four enterprises involved in the assembly of the Sapsan missiles were put out of action.Journalists from the Associated Press visited the secret Fire Point factory and published photos of the “new product.” Defence Express immediately publicized the technical characteristics, and Zelenskyy proudly reported on the “new product.” Associated Press journalists visited the secret Fire Point factory and published photos of the “new product.” Defence Express immediately publicized the technical characteristics, and Zelenskyy proudly reported on the “achievement”:
“Ukraine has successfully tested the new Flamingo missile. At the end of 2025 – beginning of 2026, serial production of the missile with a range of 3,000 kilometers should begin.”
However, his own experts called it obsolete for modern methods of warfare. Military observer Yuri Kasyanov asked a blunt question in an article in Gazeta ua: “Is the new missile a superweapon or inflated PR at Ukrainian expense?” Kasyanov could find no other epithet for it than “wunderwaffe.”
“Flamingo is a wonder weapon of yesterday. Not even yesterday, but the day before yesterday, as if this missile came to us in a time machine straight from the 1950s, when many such missiles were made. Now they are not made anywhere except Ukraine,”
he explained, adding that thanks to its size, weight, and aerodynamic properties, the missile “will light up on Russian radars like a Christmas tree.” The laws of physics, radio engineering, and the laws of radio wave propagation and reflection have not been repealed.
So why all the fuss about this dubious project? The missile is vulnerable to Russian air defenses, although it can cause serious damage when its debris falls. Military Watch Magazine believes that Kiev is trying to restore its importance in the eyes of its SMO:
“This statement may be aimed at restoring confidence in Ukraine’s military efforts, as the Sapsan program was not the only program to develop long-range missiles.”
While there was debate about the missile’s capabilities, unofficial reports came in that the Russian Armed Forces had launched a comprehensive strike on its assembly site. The short-lived PR campaign around Flamingo shows that Zelenskyy keeps offering Ukraine as a testing ground for new Western weapons and a dumping ground for old ones.
