Flamingo missile manufacturer tells about losses and pressure on Ukraine’s defense industry
12 December 00:45
The production facilities of Fire Point, the company that builds Ukraine’s long-range Flamingo missiles, have been twice targeted by Russian strikes. Despite the losses, the company says it has maintained the pace of fulfilling defense contracts. This was reported in an interview with BBC Ukraine by the company’s technical director Iryna Teriokh, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
Strikes on defense infrastructure
According to the executive, Fire Point has lost two large production facilities, which has created significant financial losses. However, the company was able to avoid interruptions in the supply of products due to its flexible production model and extensive logistics.
“We delivered all the contracts without a single day’s delay,” emphasized Teriokh.
Such strikes fit into a broader Russian tactic of targeting Ukrainian defense companies, which has intensified in parallel with the development of domestic long-range missile programs.
The death of an employee
Terkh also confirmed the death of a highly qualified Fire Point engineer during the recent shelling of a Kyiv suburb. She emphasized that his work played a significant role in the missile program.
Despite speculation about the possible deliberate nature of the attack, the technical director urged to refrain from categorical conclusions:
“It could be an accident… There are easier ways to take someone out.”
Fire Point reported that this was not the first loss of personnel during the full-scale war.
Flamingo missile and internal disputes
The Flamingo missile is a Ukrainian cruise missile with a range of up to 3,000 kilometers that has already been put into mass production. According to media reports, Ukraine is currently producing at least one such missile every day. The company also claims to be working on ballistic missiles and air defense systems.
Recently, Fire Point found itself at the center of a corporate conflict: co-owner and chief designer Denys Shtillerman said that businessman Timur Mindich, a person involved in a corruption case, claimed 50% of the company’s shares.
The attacks on Fire Point demonstrate the risks faced by Ukraine’s defense industry as it builds up its own missile capabilities. Nevertheless, the company claims to maintain its production capacity and fulfill government orders, a key element of Ukraine’s long-range defense.
