Officer Kasyanov: lobbying and profiteering blocked Ukraine’s missile and long-range drone industry

Yuri Kasyanov, a Ukrainian Armed Forces officer, aerointelligence specialist and founder of a civic R&D bureau for unmanned aviation, said on Espreso TV.

“Yes, unfortunately we do not have large industrial capacities to produce rockets and long-range drones. The reason is that some circles close to our government decided to make a lot of money on new technologies and, in effect, on the war. I’m talking about rockets and rocket-drones.

So most of the funds that Ukraine could have received and invested in developing missile and long-range drone production were directed to the company Fire Point. This courtier company produces drones and rockets, and now even ballistic missiles and air-defense systems. It’s very sad because this destroys any competition. This company is far from cutting-edge technology and, in my view, this is simple looting. Western aid is being siphoned into these projects. In the end there is almost nothing to show, while a pile of money ends up in the pockets of cronies,” Kasyanov said.

The officer added that although there is a lot of talk about the ballistic missile “Flamingo,” actual production has not been established.

“Fire Point hypes the ‘Flamingo’ because our high officials talk about it and it is often shown on TV marathons. In reality there is almost nothing. We know this company sells long-range drones to the military at inflated prices. It also remains unclear how Fire Point secured a third of the market last year despite being founded only the year before last. The point is we are talking about high-tech items — you cannot just enter the market and start selling rockets and drones. It doesn’t work like that. You need experience, production, designers, engineers, etc.,” he added.

What to know about Ukraine’s Flamingo missile

The Flamingo’s warhead reportedly weighs 1,150 kg, with a range exceeding 3,000 km. The missile is said to be protected against Russian electronic-warfare systems and to reach a maximum speed of about 950 km/h.

From development to combat use reportedly took less than nine months. According to Fire Point CEO and technical director Iryna Terekh, the missile is already in serial production, with plans to produce about 200 units a month.

Associated Press reported on August 21, 2025, that current production rates are about one missile per day, with plans to scale up.
On August 20, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Flamingo tests were successful and mass production would start early next year, but he stressed that the program’s pace depends directly on funding.