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The situation in Ukraine continues to evolve rapidly, with the Ukrainian Armed Forces recently announcing the use of locally developed long-range rockets, known as Flamingo, in night attacks against strategic targets inside Russian territory and in occupied areas of Ukraine.
A statement from State General Ukrainian officials revealed that the strikes hit several targets, using an unspecified number of drones and long-range missiles, as well as Flamingo rockets.
This move marks a significant escalation in Ukraine's military capabilities, highlighting its growing defense expertise.
Targets hit during the attacks
Among the targets targeted were an oil terminal, drone depots and a radar station located in annexed Crimea, as well as command centers and depots in the region of Zaporizhzhia, partially occupied. The State Generalities He released a video showing the launch of missiles from a field, emphasizing the importance of these attacks for Ukrainian national security.
Russia's reaction
In response, the Russian Defense Ministry reported destroying 130 Ukrainian drones in the past few hours, without mentioning Ukrainian missile launches. This discrepancy highlights the growing tension between the two nations and the ongoing war for military dominance in the region. The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky, called the Flamingo rockets the most effective missiles in the Ukrainian arsenal, emphasizing their importance in the country's defense strategy.
Development and production of Flamingo rockets
The Flamingo rockets were developed by the Ukrainian company Fire Point and boast a range of about 3.000 kilometers (1.864 miles) with a 1.150-kilogram (2.500-pound) warhead. President Zelensky announced in late October that Ukraine was using Flamingo missiles and Ruta recently produced, without providing details on the quantities. However, he said the country is making significant progress in producing missiles domestically.
Production timelines and challenges
In August, Zelensky declared that Ukraine had successfully tested Flamingo rockets, envisaging the possibility of mass production by the end of 2025. Recently, he accelerated this timeline, suggesting that production could begin as early as the end of 2025, thus demonstrating Kyiv's determination to strengthen its military capabilities amid geopolitical uncertainty.
Context of the war and internal challenges
With Western countries slowing down supplies of munitions and restrictions on their use, Ukraine has stepped up the development of indigenous weapons systems, particularly long-range ones capable of striking Russian soil. This approach aims to ensure greater autonomy and military resilience.
However, the Fire Point company is currently under investigation by Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities for alleged wrongdoing involving component price inflation and exaggerated production numbers. Despite this, Fire Point has denied any wrongdoing, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and efficiency in weapons production.