The new Ukrainian missile "Flamingo" can significantly strengthen strikes on Russia’s rear, — expert

The new Ukrainian missile "Flamingo" can significantly strengthen strikes on Russia’s rear, — expert

The new Ukrainian cruise missile "Flamingo" is a promising development that could significantly impact the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ ability to deliver deep strikes on Russia’s rear infrastructure.

This opinion was expressed by Patrick Bolder, a strategic analyst and defence expert, a staff member at the Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS), and a former lieutenant colonel of the Royal Netherlands Air Force.

"Range — 3000 km, warhead — from 1000 to 1500 kg. This is a fairly significant capability they have developed. Production is set to increase to seven units per day. So, if you accumulate several days of production, you could have about 50 cruise missiles in a week. If they are launched simultaneously at a target — the Russians will have to shoot them down from the air, and that will be quite challenging," he said.

According to him, the "Flamingo" is a classic aviation bomb that has been converted into a cruise missile by adding a jet engine, fuselage, and wings. As a result, Ukraine has obtained a highly effective long-range strike capability.

"This is quite a serious power that can cause significant damage deep in the enemy’s rear. And, as I understand, what is important — it is relatively cheap to produce," the expert noted.

He also noted that even if some of the missiles are intercepted, the breakthrough of a few warheads with large explosive payloads could have serious consequences.

"I think the Russians will be, well, let’s say, on edge if the Ukrainians can accurately target these missiles. This doesn’t change the course of the war, because no single weapon system is a ’game-changer’ — although we often heard this in the first year of the war. But such weapons can significantly help Ukraine in conducting so-called interdiction operations (striking the enemy’s rear infrastructure, — ed.). These are not strikes on front-line troops, but on infrastructure, such as oil refineries, industrial centers, drone production, railway hubs, and tracks," the expert said.

He also noted that "this can heavily impact the Russian war machine. But to change the course of the war, what is important is not just a single type of weapon, but the overall concept of its use: how many of such missiles can be produced, how many launched, how many will breach the Russian air defences, what targets will be hit — and this needs to be part of a broader strategy that includes sanctions and economic warfare against Russia. So, yes, this is a positive development for Ukraine, and it is very important."