Where is "Flamingo" and how effective is it? An analysis of all known attacks by the sensational Ukrainian missiles has appeared

More than eight months have passed since the first photo and characteristics of the Ukrainian cruise missile FP-5 "Flamingo" appeared. It has a stated destruction range of up to 3000 km and a warhead mass of up to 1100 kg.

This product from Fire Point causes both skepticism and admiration among people. On the one hand, its high production capacity and relatively low price are known; on the other hand, its "simple" technological solutions and conceptual flaws could affect its destruction effectiveness.

Also, for a long time, absolutely nothing was known about its real combat application. Therefore, the key question is: does the FP-5 "Flamingo" remain an experimental weapon or is it already transforming into a full-fledged instrument of destruction?

Павялічыць

Launch of FP-5 at the Kapustin Yar testing range. Photo: Dzianis Shtylerman

How was it calculated?

A total of six verified "Flamingo" missile attacks are known from open sources.

Fire Point's chief designer, Dzianis Shtylerman, occasionally publishes videos of FP-5 missile launches on his X account. These publications coincide with official reports from the Defense Forces regarding "Flamingo" usage incidents and corresponding publications/photos on Russian information resources.

Information about launches alone is not enough, as a missile must not only reach the object but also hit it. To analyze the accuracy of the missiles, "Oboronka" compared military reports with satellite images, which allow for a relatively accurate determination of the strike's outcome.

In total, 23 launched "Flamingo" cruise missiles have been captured on camera. Ukrainian OSINT analysts identified that 6 of them reached their target, but only 2 hit the intended object. One more hit remains disputed.

Павялічыць

Next will be an analysis of each strike. But before that, it's important to note that all information provided is the result of data processing only from open sources. The actual number of launches or hits may be greater, and the proportion of launched missiles to successful strikes may differ significantly.

Debut. Strike on an FSB border base in Crimea

The "Flamingo" made its public debut in the occupied city of Armyansk, at an FSB border outpost 120 kilometers from the contact line. Ukrainian Defense Forces targeted it on August 31. Of at least three launched missiles, one definitely reached the vicinity of the object – it missed and fell into the water near the base. The photo shows damage to the building, but it is difficult to say exactly what means caused the strike and whether it corresponds to the declared power of "Flamingo."

Considering all this, it was the first time that an FP-5 missile reached a Russian target at all and demonstrated its existence.

Павялічыць

Satellite image after the strike (slightly AI-enhanced). Photo: Exilenova+

Second strike. Attempted attack on a thermal power plant in Oryol

On November 13, 2025, Ukrainian Defense Forces attempted to strike a thermal power plant in Oryol, more than 170 km from the border. At least 4 missiles were launched, but no fresh traces of damage or missile impact were found near the object on satellite images.

Apparently, the missiles were shot down by Russian air defense. One "Flamingo" downing likely appeared in a video published by the OSINT community Exilenova+.

Павялічыць

Probably a downed "Flamingo" missile over Oryol. Photo: Exilenova+

Third strike. Attack on an artillery arsenal near Kotluban. First hit.

The arsenal of the Main Missile and Artillery Directorate of Russia (GRAU) in Kotluban, Volgograd Oblast, is of great importance to the Russian military. Reinforced bunkers for storing ammunition have been built at the facility, which are practically inaccessible to conventional UAVs. That is why the FP-5 "Flamingo" cruise missile was used to destroy such targets.

On February 12, at least 6 cruise missiles were launched at the GRAU arsenal at a distance of more than 500 km from the contact line. Only one of the six reached, hitting a bunker with an area of 1200 m². As a result, ammunition detonated, and the facility was destroyed.

Павялічыць

Satellite images after the strike (image slightly AI-enhanced). Photo: Dnipro OSINT

This became the first recorded "Flamingo" hit and the first strike of such depth with similar missiles.

Fourth. Strike on Kapustin Yar testing range, location of "Oreshnik". Miss.

During January 2026, Ukrainian Defense Forces attacked the Kapustin Yar testing range in Astrakhan Oblast, specifically site No. 105, from which "Oreshnik" complex missiles are launched. On January 27, at least four missiles were launched at the object. Only one of them reached. But it was either shot down on approach or missed and fell near the site's fence. The crater from it is visible on the satellite image.

Павялічыць

Crater from the remnants of a "Flamingo" missile near the fence of site 105. Photo: Dnipro OSINT

However, the object was indeed hit during this period. As analysts from the "KyberBoroshno" community write, these were Ukrainian drones, not missiles.

Fifth. Strike on the "Iskander" production plant in Votkinsk, Udmurtia. Bullseye.

Now — the place where "Flamingo" performed best. The destruction of a very important plant of the Russian defense complex at a distance of more than 1300 km from the border.

JSC "Votkinsk Plant" specializes in the production of ballistic missiles, particularly RS-24 "Yars" type ICBMs and engines for operational-tactical missiles of the "Iskander" complexes.

One of the three launched missiles hit workshop No. 22 in the electroplating and stamping building No. 19, according to specialists from the "KyberBoroshno" community.

"The destruction of such a workshop can have a critical impact on the production cycle, as it is here that the basic design of product casings is formed and their technological preparation for the final assembly stages is carried out," analysts write.

Павялічыць

Images of the damaged workshop of the Votkinsk Plant (Image slightly AI-enhanced). Photo: KyberBoroshno

All details regarding the consequences are unknown, but this appears to be a serious blow to the enterprise.

Sixth. Missed buildings of the "Promsintez" plant in Chapayevsk.

On March 28, 2026, Ukrainian Defense Forces launched at least 3 missiles at the "Promsintez" plant in Chapayevsk, Samara Oblast. This enterprise specializes in the production of explosive components used for ammunition charges.

During this attack, Ukrainian missiles appeared in videos published by the Exilenova+ community. Of the three missiles, two reached the object, but both missed the intended building, falling near the workshops. It is likely that the missiles were either shot down at the last moment or got caught on a lightning rod tower nearby. The strike on Chapayevsk could have been successful.

As we can see from the available data, the FP-5 "Flamingo" still remains more of an experimental weapon than a permanent means of destruction. Often, the means reach the objects but do not hit the intended location.

The company itself also acknowledges accuracy problems.

"The accuracy problems with "Flamingo" are largely due to flights being conducted at very low altitudes," said chief designer Dzianis Shtylerman in an interview with Dmytro Gordon.

It is difficult to draw conclusions about the effectiveness of the entire program, as only 23 confirmed launches are known from open sources, while last autumn Shtylerman stated in an interview with "Dzerkalo Tyzhnya" that 2-3 missiles were being produced per day.

This means that the results of the vast majority of launches remain unknown to the general public.

• 7
• 0
• 0
• 1
• 0
• 1
• 0
• 0