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A newly released video this week showcases Ukraine deploying its own FP-5 “Flamingo” cruise missiles, as the nation intensifies its strikes on Russian military sites four years into the conflict.
According to Ukraine’s military, these missiles were part of an overnight operation from February 11 to 12. The strike aimed at a missile, ammunition, and explosives depot located near Kotluban in Russia’s Volgograd Oblast. This site, identified as belonging to Russia’s Main Missile and Artillery Directorate, or GRAU, is reportedly one of the largest ammunition storage facilities utilized by Russian forces.
Ukrainian officials reported significant explosions and subsequent detonations at the targeted location, although a full assessment of the damage is still underway.
Footage from the operation shows the launch of the domestically produced FP-5 “Flamingo” missiles toward Russian targets. (East2West)
In response, Russian authorities confirmed an incident at a Defense Ministry facility in the same vicinity. Volgograd Governor Andrey Bocharov stated that air defenses managed to intercept a missile attack, but debris from the event caused a fire at a military site near Kotluban. As a precaution, an evacuation order was issued for nearby residents due to the risk of explosions, with buses arranged to transport them to temporary shelters, according to Anadolu Agency.
Russia’s Defense Ministry has also publicly referenced the Flamingo system. In a daily update carried by Russian state media, the ministry said its air defenses shot down five Flamingo long-range cruise missiles over the previous 24 hours. The ministry did not provide evidence in the statement, and Kyiv has not confirmed how many missiles were intercepted.
Footage shows the launch of Ukraine’s homegrown long-range “Flamingo” cruise missiles during a strike on Russian military infrastructure. (East2West)
Ukraine has increasingly highlighted indigenous long-range capabilities, including the FP-5. An East-to-West News agency video report previously cited Ukrainian officials describing the missile’s range as 3,000 kilometers, or about 1,864 miles, and said officials claim accuracy within about 14 meters, though battlefield performance is difficult to independently verify.
In response to a reporter’s question on Friday on the talks between the sides, President Donald Trump put the onus back on President Zelenskyy to make a deal.Â
“Well, Zelenskyy is going to have to get moving. Russia wants to make a deal, and Zelenskyy is going to have to get moving otherwise, he’s going to miss a great opportunity. He has to move,” he said.
A new round of U.S.-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine is expected in Geneva next week, even as fighting persists along the more than 1,200-kilometer front line.
Ukraine fires six FP-5 Flamingo missiles in a night strike on Russia’s 117th GRAU arsenal in Kotluban, Volgograd region. Feb. 11, 2025. (East2West)
Ukrainian officials said Russian attacks across Ukraine continue, saying on Friday that a Russian drone assault on port infrastructure near Odesa killed one person and injured six others, while a separate strike near the eastern front line killed three brothers, including an eight-year-old and wounded their mother and grandmother.