Russian air defense systems are successfully detecting and destroying Ukraine’s long-range Flamingo cruise missiles, according to Igor Romanenko, a former deputy chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and retired lieutenant general.

Speaking on local television, Romanenko identified the missile’s large size as a major weakness. He explained that its dimensions make it easier for Russian air defense systems to detect, track and intercept.

The former senior Ukrainian military official acknowledged that Russian forces have been effectively destroying Flamingo missiles, raising questions about the weapon’s battlefield performance.

Romanenko also challenged the rationale for continuing production of the missile in its current configuration. In his assessment, the Flamingo requires substantial modernization to address its shortcomings.

Earlier, the head of Fire Point, the Ukrainian company developing the Flamingo missile, also made remarks suggesting that the weapon’s combat effectiveness was limited.

According to the company’s chief executive, generating media attention had been the primary objective of the Flamingo project.