Russian Media: Russian Army Reports First Interception of Ukraine's "Cheap Version of the 'Tomahawk'"

Reference News Network, February 13  According to a report on the website of the "Russian Newspaper" on February 12, the Russian air defense system intercepted 5 Ukrainian "Flamingo" cruise missiles on the 12th. This is the first time the Russian military has reported the destruction of this type of long-range missile from the Ukrainian forces.

The report stated that these "Flamingo" missiles were likely intercepted while en route to the town of Kotluban in Volgograd Oblast, with the interception occurring in the airspace above the region. Volgograd Oblast Governor Andrei Bocharov stated that the Ukrainian missile attack was thwarted, with debris falling into the area where military targets are located.

Russian military experts pointed out that the "Flamingo" missiles are replicas of the British FP-5 missile, which was showcased at the 2025 Abu Dhabi International Defense Exhibition.

According to reports, the two types of missiles have similar technical specifications and appearances, both capable of carrying warheads weighing about 1000 kilograms to strike targets within a range of 3000 kilometers, and can be equipped with high-explosive or concrete-penetrating warheads depending on the mission. They have a wingspan of 6 meters, a maximum flight speed of 950 kilometers per hour, a maximum loitering time of over 4 hours, and are equipped with an anti-jamming inertial satellite navigation system, with a circular probable error reportedly less than 14 meters. Due to their size, these missiles may ascend rapidly upon launch, making them easier to detect by air defense systems.

The "Military Chronicle" channel on the "Telegram" software previously reported: "When the 'Flamingo' missile carries a British designation, it has been referred to as the 'poor man's Tomahawk.'" (Translated by Liu Yang)