Ukraine is preparing for mass production of long-range Flamingo missiles: Zelensky confirms successful tests
21 August 17:19
on August 21, 2025, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy officially announced the start of mass production of a new long-range missile called Flamingo. According to him, mass production may begin in late December this year or early 2026. The head of state said this during a conversation with journalists, according to Radio Liberty, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Successful tests and technical characteristics
Zelenskyy confirmed that the Flamingo missile has already passed successful tests. Its main feature is the ability to cover a distance of up to 3,000 kilometers, which puts it on par with the most powerful modern weapons.
“The missile has already passed a successful test, it is capable of flying a distance of three thousand kilometers,” the president said.
At the same time, he refrained from disclosing technical details, explaining that such information will become available only after Ukraine has hundreds of such missiles.
Confirmation from the Defense Ministry
Information about the Flamingo first appeared in the media on August 17. The next day, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed the development during a presentation of the government program:
“This is a powerful weapon. Long-range, very powerful. And it is there. These are the key details, and we will know the rest when the right time comes,” Shmyhal said.
What is known about “Flamingo”
Although the official characteristics of the missile remain classified, experts suggest that its range allows it to hit strategic targets far beyond the front line. This could significantly change the balance of power in the region and strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
Strategic importance
The mass production of Flamingo will be an important milestone in the development of the Ukrainian defense industry. Combined with the reforms already underway in the industry, it could mean a transition to a new level of technological autonomy and military capability.
How Flamingo fits into the defense strategy
- Strategic deterrence: the range of 3,000 kilometers allows Ukraine to control critical enemy targets far beyond the front line.
- Autonomy: Development of its own missile reduces dependence on arms imports, especially in the face of unstable supplies.
- Technological breakthrough: “The Flamingo demonstrates the ability of Ukrainian engineers to create high-precision weapons with a range previously available only to leading military powers.
- Mass production: The planned launch of mass production by the end of the year demonstrates the readiness to integrate the missile into real combat scenarios.
Other types of weapons developed by Ukraine
Ukraine’s defense industry is experiencing a real renaissance. Here are the key areas:
Missile systems
- R-360 Neptune is a coastal missile system capable of destroying enemy ships. It has passed all tests and is already in service.
- The Palyanytsia drone missile and the Peklo missile are new innovative models that combine the flexibility of drones with the power of missiles.
Artillery and ammunition
- The Bohdana self-propelled artillery system is a self-propelled artillery system whose production has reached 15 units per month.
- Mortar and artillery ammunition – in 2024, production increased 25 times compared to 2022.
Unmanned systems
- FPV drones – more than 1 million contracted in 2024, with a production potential of up to 4 million per year.
- MAGURA V5 and Sea Baby maritime drones are changing the rules of naval warfare, allowing precise strikes without risk to crews.
Armored vehicles and electronic warfare
- The Novator-2 armored vehicle is a state-of-the-art vehicle for mobile operations.
- The Pokrova electronic warfaresystem is a state-of-the-art electronic warfaresystem that protects against enemy drones and missiles.
