Ukraine’s six-ton ‘Flamingo’ missile enables strikes on nearly half of Russia
Ukraine’s new cruise missile ‘Flamingo’ can now hit targets across almost half of Russia. This year, air raid alerts have been issued in regions home to over 70% of Russia’s population.
Ukraine has significantly expanded its long-range strike capabilities with the new cruise missile ‘Flamingo’, according to Bloomberg. The six-ton missile, carrying a one-ton warhead, can now strike targets in nearly half of Russia’s territory. In May, the ‘Flamingo’ flew over 1,500 kilometers for the first time, hitting a factory in Cheboksary. Since then, Ukraine has carried out other long-range attacks on Russian military and industrial facilities.
Douglas Barry, a senior researcher at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, noted that the use of the ‘Flamingo’ marks a major breakthrough in Ukraine’s long-range strike campaign. According to him, these missiles allow strikes deep inside Russia with powerful warheads, damaging elements of Russia’s military industry, affecting the economy, and showing Russian society the cost of the war.
Bloomberg’s analysis shows that this year, air raid alerts have been issued in regions where over 70% of Russia’s population lives. Previously, alerts were mainly confined to border regions and occupied Ukrainian territories. Kyiv is increasing pressure on the Kremlin to persuade Vladimir Putin to agree to negotiations. However, as Barry pointed out, it is unclear whether these strikes will make Putin more open to talks.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on the situation.
