A recently published video, circulated by Ukrainian media on 25/2, reportedly shows a Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missile striking a production workshop at Russia's Votkinsk plant in the Udmurtia Republic last week. The footage captures a large explosion at the facility, which is a key producer of advanced Russian missiles.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the attack the same day. He stated, "We carried out a Flamingo missile strike on Votkinsk, hitting a target 1,400 km away. I consider this a true success for our domestic industry."
Moments a Flamingo missile hit the Votkinsk plant in a video posted on 25/2. Video: Defense Express
The Ukrainian leadership declined to disclose the total number of missiles launched in the attack, but admitted that some were intercepted by air defenses. Zelensky emphasized, "The most important thing is that all launched missiles reached their targets."
Satellite images later revealed a large hole in the roof of a structure within the plant complex. However, the specific damage and impact on the production lines remain unclear.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces announced on 21/2 that a Flamingo missile strike overnight caused a fire at the Votkinsk plant. They added that the specific damage was being assessed.
The agency asserted that the Votkinsk plant specializes in producing RS-24 Yars and R-30 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missiles, Iskander-M tactical ballistic missiles, and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. Ukrainian media suggested the facility might also be where Oreshnik hypersonic-warhead ballistic missiles are manufactured.
Russia's Ministry of Defense announced the same day that its air defense forces shot down 5 Flamingo missiles, without specifying the total number of missiles launched by the adversary. Aleksandr Brechalov, head of the Udmurtia Republic, reported that a facility in the region was attacked by a Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), causing property damage and casualties.
 |
Hole in the roof of a production workshop at the Votkinsk plant in a satellite image taken after Ukraine's attack on the night of 21/2. Photo: X/cyber_boroshno
The Flamingo cruise missile, produced by Ukraine's Fire Point company, is advertised as having a 1,150 kg warhead and a range of 3,000 km. This range surpasses all Western weapons supplied to Kyiv.
The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces previously claimed to have conducted a "series of successful strikes" on the Kapustin Yar training ground in Astrakhan province using domestic long-range weapons, including Flamingo missiles, in January. However, satellite images later showed that the damage was relatively minor and limited to some auxiliary structures.
Pham Giang (According to Defense Express, Ukrinform, TASS).
