Strike slows “Flamingo” missile production, but output restored
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that a Russian attack on a Ukrainian defense enterprise caused a temporary pause in mass production of domestic “Flamingo” missiles. He did not specify whether the strike was accidental or the result of a targeted information leak, but assured that factory operations have resumed, and a number of missiles have already been produced and delivered to Ukrainian forces.
In an interview with Tagesschau on February 24, 2026, Zelensky stated that “Flamingo” missiles have already proven effective against targets in Russia. Ukrainian forces successfully struck several ammunition depots and strategic weapons factories, including the Votkinsk Plant, which produces ballistic missiles for the aggressor. The President expressed hope that production rates will continue to grow, enabling larger-scale attacks on enemy military targets deep behind the frontlines.
The interview also highlighted the Russian “Oreshnik” system, with Zelensky noting that Ukrainian intelligence currently tracks three such systems in Russia. Ukraine is monitoring component supply chains and developing combined methods to overcome enemy air defenses. For effective strikes, Zelensky emphasized the need to increase simultaneous launches of drones and missiles to deplete enemy resources.
On the night of February 21, units of the Ukrainian Missile and Artillery Forces struck key military-industrial and logistics targets, using FP-5 “Flamingo” cruise missiles to hit the Votkinsk Plant in Votkinsk. A fire broke out at the facility, and damage assessment is ongoing.
