Ukraine has already used its new Flamingo and Ruta missiles in combat, and more strikes are planned soon, President Volodymyr Zelensky said during a meeting with journalists on Oct. 27.

“Flamingo was used in combat. Ruta was used in combat. We are doing everything so that this year we can conduct more serious trials – not just one, two, or three. We believe that we will succeed,” Zelensky said.

The Flamingo is a Ukrainian long-range missile unveiled in August, while the Ruta is categorized as a “drone-missile” that underwent testing in December 2024.

Zelensky added that the military is optimistic about further strikes with the new weapons, noting that repeated use of the missiles has already shown “effective results.”

In late August, Ukrainian media reported that Ukraine had begun mass production of Flamingo cruise missiles.

Soon after, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed their production, describing the Flamingo as a “very powerful and long-range weapon.”

By October, The Economist reported that Ukraine had begun using Flamingo missiles to strike targets inside Russia.

On Oct. 9, Welt wrote that three domestically produced Flamingo missiles had hit an intelligence base belonging to Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) in occupied Crimea.

Last week, Zelensky acknowledged production challenges with the Flamingo program but added that the state order would still be fulfilled.

He said Ukraine has secured its own resources to finance production, though the exact number of missiles remains undisclosed.

Main characteristics of the Flamingo missile

for deep strikes.

Range: Claimed >3,000 km (1,864 miles).

Speed and type: Subsonic cruise missile at 950 kilometers per hour (590 miles per hour).

Payload: ~1,150 kg (current warhead: bunker-busting, able to penetrate up to 10 m / 33 ft of concrete). Other warhead variants (e.g., cluster munitions) are planned.

Accuracy: Reported ~14 m circular error probable (CEP) in contested environments (including jamming/spoofing).

Propulsion: Uses refurbished jet engines sourced from old stock/scrapyards (engines with around 10 hours left); Fire Point said it plans to produce new engines under license domestically next year. Parts are simplified (cheaper materials instead of titanium) because long-term durability isn’t required.

Construction: Carbon-fiber fuselage (made on a winding machine – about 6 hours per fuselage)

Flight profile & survivability: Flies below 50 m to reduce detectability; launchers and missile containers are made to blend in with civilian trucks for concealment. Fire Point admits the design is not perfect or highly maneuverable but says it meets battlefield needs.