Ukraine has stepped up the secret production of its own long-range weapons as it works to reduce reliance on foreign military support and strengthen its war effort against Russia.
At an undisclosed site, reached only after strict security measures including blindfolds and phone restrictions, Ukrainian engineers are assembling the Flamingo cruise missile. The factory’s location and layout are carefully concealed, and workers’ identities are protected to limit the risk of Russian strikes. Two other production sites linked to the same manufacturer have already been hit.
The missile is produced by Fire Point, a Ukrainian company that did not exist before Russia’s full-scale invasion. Today, it has become a key player in the country’s rapidly expanding defence industry. According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, more than half of the weapons now used on the front line are made domestically, including almost all long-range systems.
Fire Point’s chief technical officer, Iryna Terekh, says the Flamingo represents Ukraine’s determination to strike deep into enemy territory using its own technology. The missile, painted black and powered by a jet engine mounted above its body, is designed for long-range missions and has already been deployed, though specific targets are not disclosed.
Ukraine’s push into cruise missile production comes as Western allies remain cautious about supplying similar deep-strike weapons. With a reported range comparable to advanced systems such as the US Tomahawk, the Flamingo adds to Ukraine’s growing ability to target infrastructure linked to Russia’s war economy.
Military officials say these long-range attacks have already inflicted significant economic damage on Russia this year. While Ukraine still trails Russia in the volume of drones and missiles launched, its strategy focuses on precision, innovation and cost efficiency.
Beyond missiles, Fire Point is producing around 200 long-range drones each day. These domestically built systems are cheaper than their Russian counterparts and now account for a majority of Ukraine’s deep-strike operations.
Despite continued dependence on foreign intelligence, funding and some equipment, Ukrainian manufacturers are deliberately sourcing components locally to avoid political or supply disruptions. Company leaders say the goal is full autonomy in weapons production, particularly amid uncertainty over future US military assistance.
For Ukraine’s defence industry, there is no single “miracle weapon”. Instead, its leaders argue that resilience, adaptability and domestic production are the country’s strongest assets as the war continues.
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