Ukraine Strikes Russian Military Complex in Cheboksary with FP-5 Flamingo Missiles, Footage Shows Explosions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy published new footage on Tuesday of Ukraine's FP-5 Flamingo missiles taking off in combat, marking one of their longest announced flights. The videos, posted by Zelenskyy, show the missiles igniting their jet engines for initial acceleration, rising into the sky, and arcing into a forward trajectory.

Business Insider reported that the clips provide some of the clearest footage yet of the missiles launching from the ground.

The FP-5 Flamingo missiles were used to strike a military-industrial complex in Cheboksary, Russia, with footage of the attacks showing large explosions and fires in the city. Zelenskyy stated that the missiles covered a distance of more than 1,500 kilometers to reach the target, about 600 miles from Ukraine's northern border.

The strike targeted the VNIIR-Progress complex, which supplied navigation elements for the Russian Navy, missile industry, aviation, and armored vehicles, according to Zelenskyy.

The FP-5 Flamingo missiles flew 930 miles to reach the military manufacturing complex. Their manufacturer, the Ukrainian firm Fire Point, has said the 40-foot missiles have a maximum range of 1,860 miles, can carry a 1,150-kg warhead, and reach speeds of up to 560 mph. Zelenskyy added that the plant in Cheboksary was a major target for the operation.

Russian Telegram news channels and military bloggers reported on Tuesday that the VNIIR-Progress complex in Cheboksary came under Ukrainian attack on Monday. Videos and photos posted by Russian Telegram channels showed large explosions in the city, with one clip displaying flames and debris covering the main entrance of the ABS Electro building in the industrial complex.

The ABS Electro building builds satellite guidance systems for Russian weapons, submarines, and drones.

The Institute for the Study of War stated that footage indicated six Flamingo missiles struck the VNIIR-Progress plant. A long-range fixed-wing drone was filmed crashing into a residential building during the attack. Russian state media outlet RIA Novosti reported that two people were killed and 32 were injured in a massive attack in the region.

The VNIIR-Progress plant came under attack from Ukrainian drones in February, June, July, and November 2025. Regional head Oleg Nikolaev said the June 2025 strike temporarily halted production at the VNIIR-Progress plant. Ukraine plans to manufacture seven Flamingo missiles per day, Zelenskyy said last year.

Locally designed and produced, the Flamingo missiles provide Ukraine with a long-range attack option against Russia's military-industrial base. Apart from the Flamingo, Ukraine has more commonly relied on slower one-way attack drones, such as the fixed-wing Liutyi, to hit facilities deeper inside Russia.