Volunteers from a mobile fire group of the BARS-Kursk brigade shot down a Ukrainian FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile using machine-gun fire, Kursk Region Governor Alexander Khinshtein reported. He described the incident as a unique case.

According to Khinshtein, the crew received an alert about an approaching aerial target at around 3 a.m. on August 22. The missile was flying at an altitude of less than 50 meters and at speeds of up to 500 kilometers per hour.

The FP-5 has a stated range of up to 3,000 kilometers, while its warhead carries the equivalent of nearly one tonne of TNT.

After spotting the target, the volunteers immediately opened fire. The missile began losing altitude after being hit and crashed into a forest, where it subsequently detonated.

Khinshtein said an examination of the wreckage and flight controller later indicated that the missile had been launched from the Sumy Region. Its presumed target was identified as a strategic facility in the Tula Region.

The governor said the actions of the BARS-Kursk fighters helped prevent possible casualties and destruction. He also said the servicemen involved in shooting down the Flamingo missile would be nominated for awards.

Tula Region Governor Dmitry Milyaev also thanked the volunteers on behalf of residents of the region.