Ukraine's Giant Flamingo Cruise Missile Finally Works
The six-ton missile blasted an oft-targeted electronics plant deep inside Russia
Overnight and into the morning between June 9 and 10, Ukrainian forces launched five Fire Point FP-5 Flamingo cruise missiles at the VNIIR-Progress electronics plant in Cheboksary, in western Russia 550 miles from the front line in Ukraine.
Two of the six-ton, $500,000 missiles struck the plant with their 2,500-pound warheads, punching right through anti-drone protections and inflicting major blast and fire damage that was apparent in photos and videos from the following days. (See below.)
“I thank the Armed Forces of Ukraine for their precision!” Ukrainian Pres. Volodymyr Zelensky crowed.
Finally, after multiple attempts, the Ukrainians have degraded if not halted production at VNIIR-Progress. The Ukrainian army’s 19th Missile Brigade previously fired FP-5s at the Cheboksary plant on May 4, but those missiles apparently narrowly missed. Earlier drone strikes on the plant inflicted only minor damage.
VNIIR-Progress makes antennae and other components for navigation systems that are critical for the production of drones and missiles. The factory is a critical link in the chain of enterprises that sustains Russia’s campaign of deep strikes on Ukrainian cities.
