Ukrainian Flamingo Cruise Missile Strikes Key Russian Defense Plant in Kirov

Ukrainian Armed Forces launched a long-range strike targeting the Avitek defense manufacturing plant in the Russian city of Kirov using a Flamingo cruise missile, according to OSINT channel reports on July 24.

Explosions rocked Kirov around 7:00 a.m. local time, leaving thick plumes of smoke rising over the facility as residents documented the aftermath, OSINT channel Exilenova+ wrote.

Developed by Ukrainian defense company Fire Point, the FP-5 Flamingo cruise missile is a domestic long-range weapon designed for deep strikes against infrastructure inside Russia. The 14-meter missile is constructed primarily from carbon fiber, powered by an AI-25TL turbofan engine, and utilizes satellite navigation alongside low-altitude flight paths to evade enemy radar. It carries a heavy 1,150-kilogram warhead and boasts an operational range exceeding 3,000 kilometers.

Denys Shtilerman, co-owner and chief designer of Fire Point, confirmed the deployment of the Flamingo missile in a post on X and subsequently published footage showing the weapon’s launch.

Preliminary reports indicate that the missile directly struck one of the central buildings within the industrial complex. Formally known as JSC Vyatka Machine-Building Enterprise “AVITEK,” the facility operates as a subsidiary of Russia’s state-owned Almaz-Antey Concern, serving as a vital node in Moscow’s military-industrial network, according to Militarnyi.

According to OSINT evaluations cited by Militarnyi, Avitek serves as Russia’s sole serial manufacturer of ejection seats for all types of fighter and attack aircraft, alongside producing aviation cargo-handling systems, winches, and beam holders. The facility also manufactures anti-aircraft guided missiles and aerial target simulators, making it a critical supplier for the Russian Aerospace Forces.

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War in Ukraine

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Due to its involvement in equipping the Russian armed forces, the enterprise is subject to comprehensive international sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union, Ukraine, Canada, Switzerland, and New Zealand.

The attack on the Avitek plant marks the latest deployment of Ukraine’s domestically produced Flamingo cruise missile, which was previously used to cause heavy damage to Russia’s Titan-Barrikady defense plant in Volgograd, a critical facility manufacturing strategic missile launchers and heavy artillery components.

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