Russian air defense systems intercept nearly all Flamingo missiles launched by Ukrainian forces, according to military expert and retired Captain First Rank Vasily Dandykin. He attributed their vulnerability to their large size and limited maneuverability, which make them relatively easy targets for Russian air defenses.

Dandykin noted that the Flamingo missiles are manufactured by Fire Point. Russian forces regularly strike facilities involved in their production and storage, although Ukraine apparently still retains some stocks of the weapons.

The expert also outlined the missile’s technical characteristics. According to him, the Flamingo travels at subsonic speed and carries a warhead weighing approximately one ton. While a successful strike could cause serious damage, Dandykin claimed that Russian air defenses have intercepted almost every Flamingo missile fired by Ukrainian troops.

In comments to Lenta.ru, he described the missile as bulky and likely difficult to maneuver, arguing that its characteristics make it a relatively straightforward target for Russian air defense systems.

Dandykin also discussed Ukraine’s use of British-made missiles. He said Ukrainian forces are carefully conserving their remaining supplies because stocks are running low.

He highlighted a key difference between the two types of weapons: British missiles are launched from aircraft, while the Flamingo uses ground-based launchers.

Earlier media reports suggested that Ukrainian forces may have used long-range Flamingo cruise missiles in a strike on Lipetsk during the night of October 28.