Ukraine is ramping up the production of cruise missiles at concealed factories as it accelerates the expansion of its domestic arms industry despite continued Russian attacks, according to Ukrainian officials and weapons manufacturers.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that more than half of the weapons used on the front line—and nearly all long-range systems—are now produced inside Ukraine. Once reliant on aging Soviet-era equipment, the country has rapidly emerged as a global leader in drones and robotic warfare.
At the center of the effort is the “Flamingo” cruise missile, developed by Ukrainian defense firm Fire Point. The missile, powered by a large jet engine and resembling Germany’s World War II-era V-1 rocket, has an estimated range of nearly 3,000 kilometers—comparable to the US-made Tomahawk. Fire Point’s chief technology officer, Iryna Terekh, said the missile has already been used in combat, though targets were not disclosed.
To protect production from Russian strikes, manufacturing is being carried out at hidden locations. Two of the company’s facilities have previously been damaged by Russian attacks, forcing Ukraine to adopt secrecy as a survival strategy. Journalists were reportedly taken to one site blindfolded, with strict bans on photographing structures or personnel.
Ukraine’s military leadership says the long-range strikes are aimed at weakening Russia’s economic and military capacity by hitting oil refineries, arms factories, and ammunition depots deep inside Russian territory. Army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi claimed such attacks have caused an estimated $21.5 billion in damage to Russia’s economy.
Russia, meanwhile, is launching around 200 Shahed drones daily, roughly double Ukraine’s current capacity. These attacks have increasingly targeted civilian infrastructure, contributing to widespread power shortages across Ukraine.
Despite limited resources, Ukrainian officials say innovation and strategy are helping offset Russia’s numerical advantage. Fire Point says Ukrainian drone startups are now producing about 200 drones a day at roughly one-third the cost of Russian Shahed drones, accounting for around 60 percent of Ukraine’s long-range strike capability.
Ukraine continues to rely on allies for intelligence, targeting, and funding. However, concerns have grown after the suspension of nearly $70 billion in US assistance following Donald Trump’s return to power. Terekh warned that uncertainty in Western support could restrict Ukraine’s use of allied weapons, arguing that a strong domestic defense industry remains the country’s only reliable security guarantee.
