Pompeo: Fire Point missiles could change Putin’s war calculus
Mike Pompeo explained what role the Flamingo missiles could play. (Photo: REUTERS/Рула Ругана)
Ballistic missiles developed by Ukrainian defense company Fire Point, including the Flamingo system, could increase the risks for Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said during a recent press conference at one of the facilities where the missiles are produced.
Asked whether the Flamingo missiles could become a decisive factor in the war, Pompeo said he hopes they will.
“I hope so. For nearly four years, I’ve been saying that not enough has been done to pressure Vladimir Putin and convince him to change his behavior. We see that today,” Pompeo said. “Fire Point and its ballistic missiles will increase the risk for Vladimir Putin, and that is the only thing that will change his calculations. He must feel that the cost of continuing to kill civilians, abduct Ukrainian children and refuse to return them home, and strike residential buildings and civilian targets here in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa — the only thing that can change that — is the ability to inflict real damage on Russia.”
Pompeo added that Fire Point’s broader technological portfolio — not just its ballistic missile program — could play an important role.
“Fire Point and all of its technologies, not only the ballistic missiles it is developing, will play an important role in this,” he said. “More will be needed — additional skills, talent and capabilities — but in my view, Fire Point can become a very important part of that effort. Denys Shtilerman is working very hard on this.”
On Feb. 21, Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck the Votkinsk plant in Russia’s Udmurt Republic with FP-5 Flamingo cruise missiles. The facility produces Iskander-M, Topol-M, Kinzhal and Yars missile systems.
Fire Point manufactures long-range FP-1 and FP-2 drones, as well as Flamingo missiles. The company is also planning to develop a ballistic missile.
On Dec. 30, 2025, BBC News Ukraine reported that the United Arab Emirates plans to acquire a 30% stake in Fire Point. The company was reportedly valued at $2.5 billion.
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