Today at 18:03
The international publication reports, without naming specific sources, that Ukraine has begun using its own “Flamingo” missiles for strikes on the occupier’s territory and is currently producing 2–3 missiles per day, with production expected to rise to 7 missiles per day by the end of October.
The Economist reported this.
“There are reports that the FP‑5 ‘Flamingo’ cruise missiles have begun to be used,” the paper writes.
“They are much faster than drones, fly at only 50 m above ground, have a range of over 3,000 km, and deliver a massive strike thanks to a 1,150‑kg warhead.”
The article notes that if the FP‑5 is capable of penetrating Russian air defenses, it would take Ukraine’s DeepStrike campaign to a new level of destructive capability.
It is also reported that the missile’s range allows it to deceive defenses by approaching targets along changing vectors.
To build the FP‑5 Fire Point, repurposed Soviet‑era turbojet engines are used, and its carbon‑fiber fuselage is manufactured “in just six hours.”
Ukraine is currently producing two to three FP‑5 missiles per day, but this is expected to increase to seven by the end of the month.
Each cruise missile costs about $500,000.
Media also note that, unlike the FP‑5, the American Tomahawk costs four times as much, has a shorter range, and carries a much smaller warhead, although it is likely more accurate and harder to shoot down.
The article also highlights the work of Ukrainian drones, which fly relatively slowly and carry warheads weighing only 60–120 kg, but possess range and accuracy.
About 60% of deep strikes on Russian territory are carried out by Ukrainian Fire Point FP‑1 drones, which can reach targets up to 1,500 km inside Russia and have sophisticated software.
The FP‑1 costs only about $55,000.
Ukraine also uses a heavier and more expensive drone, “Lyutiy,” which has a range of 2,000 km and a battle‑proven machine‑vision targeting system.
Over the past week, Ukraine has inflicted serious damage on a large oil export terminal in Novorossiysk on the Black Sea, an oil‑refining complex in Bashkortostan (1,300 km from Ukraine), and a pumping station in Chuvashia (about 1,000 km from Ukraine).
On October 1, a large oil refinery in Yaroslavl was struck.
Citing some unconfirmed reports, The Economist writes that up to 40% of Russia’s refining capacity was affected by Ukrainian attacks.
Benedict George, head of product pricing for oil products in Europe at Argus Media, said Ukraine hit 16 out of 38 Russian refineries.
George said Russia’s diesel exports are down 30% compared with a year ago and are at their lowest since 2020.
Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the “Flamingo” missiles should be put into mass production. According to the president, trials of the development have already taken place, although he has not disclosed details about the missile. The first photo of the missile was published by photographer Yefrem Lukatsky. Shortly after, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal officially confirmed the production of Ukrainian “Flamingo” missiles.
In August it was reported that “Flamingo” missiles were being produced at roughly one per day. The plan was to increase that to seven per day by October.
Read also: U.S. Reports Thousands of Cuban Mercenaries Fighting in Ukraine on Russia’s Side
