Ukrainian heavy missiles that the Kremlin fears: “Flamingo” and “Neptune” change the course of the war
26 August 2025 18:42
ANALYSIS FROM 
Ukraine is making significant progress in creating modern cruise missiles capable of influencing the course of war and enhancing the country’s strategic security. Two key developments – the long-range Long Neptune and the heavy Flamingo missile – demonstrate different approaches to modernization and creation of new weapons, while strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities. Who is behind the development of these missiles and how do they differ from previous models? How effective are the Long Neptune and Flamingo in combat? What potential impact do they have on Ukraine’s deterrence strategy and security – [Kommersant] looked into this.
At least a third of the launched FP-5 Flamingo cruise missiles are capable of hitting targets in Russia’s deep rear, says veteran of the Russian-Ukrainian war, Major of the Reserve Oleksiy Hetman. The missile’s components, including the engine, body, and homing head, are manufactured at different enterprises and can be assembled in different cities just before launch, making it difficult for Russia to intercept it. As for the Long Neptune, a long-range modernized version of the P-360, there is a real “trigger” that makes the Kremlin tremble: it was a Neptune that hit the Russian cruiser Moskva. The combination of the Flamingo and Long Neptune creates a unique strategic deterrent, forcing Russia to approach war with caution.
“Long Neptune is Moscow’s new fear
- Type: long-range cruise missile R-360
- Launch: from the standard launchers of the base Neptune
- Navigation: improved satellite positioning system, infrared homing head at the final stage
- Design: increased rudder area for better controllability, architecture is as similar as possible to the basic version
- Range: up to 1000 km
- Status: successfully tested in March 2025, already used in combat.
The long-range version of Ukraine’s R-360 Neptune cruise missile, known unofficially as the Long Neptune, was tested in March 2025 and is already capable of hitting targets at a distance of up to 1,000 km.
Despite the fact that the development of the missile has been known since November 2023, there have been no images or videos of its demonstration. The first public demonstration took place on Ukraine’s Independence Day: a video was posted on the official account of the state portal Zbroya, which probably shows the Long Neptune along with other samples of Ukrainian weapons.
Aviation expert Kostyantyn Kryvolap explained that the demonstration of this missile is a significant event for Ukraine’s defense industry:
“Back in 22 or early 23, I said that this Neptune would be brought to the point where it would be a normal cruise missile and would fly 500 kg per thousand kilometers. They were telling me that I was stupid, that I didn’t understand anything. I said, “Well, maybe I don’t understand, but I have the experience that it happens like that. I don’t know why it happens. I don’t know why, but it happens.
The emergence of the Long Neptune confirms Ukraine’s ability not only to create effective defensive weapons, but also to develop its long-range options, which enhances the country’s strategic security and potential ability to deter the aggressor.
Flamingo missile: a new level of Ukrainian technology in missile construction
- Type: heavy cruise missile
- Launch weight: ~6000 kg, payload: 1150 kg
- Wingspan: ~6 m
- Engine: AI-25TL turbojet (from L-39 aircraft)
- Range: up to 3000 km
- Speed: up to 950 km/h
- Guidance system: inertial with GPS-correction
- Accuracy: ~14 m
- Combat effectiveness: high mass speed = deep penetration; kill radius up to 21-38 m
- Strategic importance: Ukraine’s first heavy missile, potentially a key deterrent
Aviation expert Kostyantyn Kryvolap spoke about the secrets of Ukraine’s Flamingo missile, developed from scratch on the basis of modern management and technology, which differ significantly from traditional Soviet-Ukrainian approaches.
According to Kryvolap, unlike Sapsan and Neptune, which were modernizations of old systems, Flamingo was created as a new product without redesigning old models. This gave the developers much more options and allowed them to optimize the design of the missile.
This missile is very simple, it was made from scratch. The engine – AI-25 – has been modernized, and the guidance and orientation systems have long been used for Ukrainian drones. The guidance algorithms have been tested on combat systems, and the accuracy is currently about 10-30 meters, which is absolutely sufficient for such power,” explained Kryvolap.
Mr. Kryvolap also emphasized that Flamingo was created by a company from the United Arab Emirates under modern management that does not involve bureaucratic obstacles and complex approvals that usually complicate the work of state-owned enterprises. At the same time, he said, Ukrainian specialists took part in the development, providing the necessary experience and technological solutions.
The missile has already been tested and has shown a high potential for use in combat conditions, including work in an ensemble with other systems.
This missile can be used for various combat missions. There was even a question about Putin’s “bunker” – whether it would reach it. But we don’t need it. In fact, it is important to hit strategic targets and critical infrastructure,” said Kryvolap.
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“The emergence of Flamingo demonstrates that Ukrainian missile engineering is reaching a new level: modern technologies, optimized guidance systems and work from scratch allow us to create effective and accurate combat vehicles.
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