Ukrainian "Sapsanov" within proximity of Moscow and nuclear facility in Sarov.
In recent developments, Ukraine has been making strides in the realm of missile technology, with the production of a long-range cruise missile named the Flamingo (FP-5) now underway. This missile, capable of reaching deep into Russian territory and cities, has raised concerns in Russia and sparked a response from the Ukrainian defense industry.
The Flamingo, with a reported range of up to 3,000 kilometers, could potentially threaten up to 90% of Russian defense industry targets. According to reports, Ukraine's domestic company Fire Point is leading the production of the Flamingo, with plans to scale up to mass-produce the missile by winter 2025.
However, Ukraine has also been developing a short-range ballistic missile called the Sapsan. While details about this missile have been limited, it is said to have completed combat testing and is moving towards serial production as of mid-2025.
Russia's response to Ukraine's missile capabilities has been largely implicit, with heightened concern and reconnaissance about the potential threats. The Flamingo's appearance has underscored Ukraine's ability to threaten targets over much greater swathes of Russia, and the possibility of missile barrages that could hit Russian cities in retaliation for Moscow’s attacks on Ukraine.
Despite initial reports suggesting German involvement in Ukraine's missile projects, the search results do not indicate any direct German financial or technical support for the Flamingo or other missile development programs. The reports emphasize Ukraine’s domestic development and production capabilities.
In a significant move, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is claimed to have familiarized Chancellor Friedrich Merz with the documentation on the missile complex in late May 2025. However, no new potential target zones or assumptions about the capabilities of the "Sapphire" missiles were provided in this paragraph.
The "Sapphire" missiles, developed at Ukrainian defense industry enterprises, were intended to strike Russian territory. A map demonstrated by the FSB indicates that cities such as Moscow, Minsk, Vitebsk, Kaluga, Tula, Vladimir, Donetsk, and others are within the strike zone of the "Sapphire" missiles. The strike on the enterprises of the Ukrainian defense industry caused significant damage, according to the FSB, exceeding the consequences of the "Web" operation carried out by the GUR of Ukraine against Moscow.
In summary, Ukraine has developed long-range missile capabilities, with the Flamingo entering production and the Sapsan in the final stages of testing. While there is no publicly available information confirming German funding or direct involvement in these missile development programs, Ukraine's domestic industry is leading the production efforts. The potential threats posed by these missiles have raised concerns in Russia, with cities such as Moscow within the strike zone of the "Sapphire" missiles.
The development of long-range missiles, such as the Flamingo and Sapsan, has become a significant point of interest in the general news, war-and-conflicts, and crime-and-justice sectors, as these missiles pose potential threats that could impact Russian cities and Russia's defense industry. Politics also play a crucial role in this situation, with the escalating tension between Ukraine and Russia highlighted by these missile programs.
