The new Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missile is a promising development that could significantly impact the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s ability to deliver deep strikes against Russia’s rear infrastructure.
This opinion was expressed in an exclusive comment to a Ukrinform correspondent in the Hague by Patrick Bolder, a strategic analyst and defense expert, employee of the Hague Center for Strategic Studies (HCSS), and former Lieutenant-Colonel from the Royal Netherlands Air Force.
“The range is 3,000 km, the warhead weighs between 1,000 and 1,500 kg. This is quite a significant capability they have developed. Production is expected to increase to seven units per day. Thus, if you accumulate a few days of production, you can have about 50 cruise missiles in a week. If they are launched simultaneously at a target, the Russians will have to shoot them down from the air, and that will be quite difficult,” he said.
According to him, the Flamingo is a classic aerial bomb converted into a cruise missile by adding a jet engine, fuselage, and wings. As a result, Ukraine has obtained a highly effective long-range strike weapon.
“This is quite serious power, which can cause significant damage deep in the enemy’s rear. And, as I understand, what’s important – it is relatively cheap to produce,” the expert noted.
He also emphasized that even if some missiles are intercepted, the breakthrough of several warheads with a large payload could have serious consequences. “I think the Russians will be, well, let’s say, tense if the Ukrainians can accurately guide these missiles. This does not change the course of the war, as no single weapon system is a ‘game changer’ – although we often heard that in the first year of the war. But such weapons can significantly help Ukraine conduct so-called interdiction operations [strikes against the enemy’s rear infrastructure]. These are not strikes against frontline troops, but against infrastructure such as oil refineries, industrial centers, drone production facilities, railway hubs, and tracks,” the expert said.
Bolder also noted that “this can have a major impact on the Russian war machine. But to change the course of the war, the key is not a single type of weapon, but the overall concept of its use: how many such missiles can be produced, how many can be launched, how many will penetrate Russian air defenses, which targets will be hit – and this must be part of a broader strategy that includes sanctions and economic warfare against Russia. So yes, this is a positive development for Ukraine, and it is very important.”
As reported by Ukrinform, Ukraine unveiled the long-range cruise missile Flamingo with a range of 3,000 km. Its photo was published by photojournalist Efrem Lukatsky on Facebook. In the caption to the image, he commented that the missile has already entered serial production. The photo was taken on August 14 at an undisclosed location. According to the comment under the photo, the work was carried out by the company Fire Point.
President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that successful tests of the domestic Flamingo missile have already taken place, and its mass production is scheduled to begin in January or February.
Photo provided by Patrick Bolder
Source: Ukrainian Flamingo missile can significantly boost strikes on Russia’s rear – expert
