Kyiv – The Ukrainian army has successfully tested a new cruise missile with a range of up to 3,000 kilometers. President Volodymyr Zelensky announced this in a speech on Monday. According to Zelensky, it is the most powerful weapon of its kind ever developed in Ukraine.
“This is our most successful missile so far. It flies 3,000 kilometers, and that is decisive,” the president emphasized. However, he pointed out that it was too early to disclose further technical details as long as the missile is not yet available in large numbers.
Mass Production Planned From the End of the Year
The new model, named Flamingo, is scheduled to enter serial production at the end of December or the beginning of 2026. “By December, we will have more units. Mass production is set to begin at the end of December or at the latest in January or February,” Zelensky explained.
According to the Ukrainian defense portal Defence Express, the Flamingo resembles the FP-5 model, which the British arms company Milanion Group presented at the IDEX arms fair in Abu Dhabi in early 2025. The specifications are nearly identical: a range of 3,000 kilometers, a maximum speed of 950 km/h, a launch weight of six tons, and a warhead weighing one ton.
Strategic Significance in the War
The new weapon could represent a strategic turning point for Ukraine in the ongoing war against Russia. With a range of 3,000 kilometers, the Flamingo could strike targets deep inside Russian territory, putting significant pressure on the Kremlin’s military infrastructure. Experts see it as a clear message to Moscow that Ukraine is increasingly relying on its own defense industry.
Although Zelensky did not specify when the missiles would first be used in combat, he stressed that this development significantly strengthens Ukraine’s defense capabilities.