Zelensky Confirms Flamingo Missile Strikes Deep in Russian Territory

President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Saturday that Ukrainian forces carried out long-range missile strikes deep within Russian territory, employing "Flamingo" missiles against critical facilities. In a Telegram post, Zelensky revealed the targets of these "deep strikes," which included the Progress Space Rocket Centre in the Samara region and the Savasleyka airfield in the Nizhny Novgorod region.

Both sites are located over 700 and 900 kilometers from Ukraine's border, respectively. The Progress Space Rocket Centre, a key entity in Russia's Roscosmos responsible for electronics production, suffered a direct hit that resulted in a fire. The Savasleyka airfield, known for basing MiG-31K interceptor fighters, also endured a direct strike causing significant damage.

Additionally, an oil facility in the port of Ust-Luga in the Leningrad region, more than 800 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, was targeted, achieving the desired damage. These strikes were confirmed by the Ukrainian General Staff. The "Progress" Rocket and Space Centre, a major Russian aerospace enterprise, manufactures Soyuz-2 carrier rockets and space satellites used for military and communications purposes.

The Savasleyka airfield is notable for its role in deploying MiG-31K interceptors equipped with Kh-47M2 "Kinzhal" aeroballistic missiles. These strikes occurred concurrently with drone activity reported in occupied Crimea, leading to power outages and a fire in Sevastopol.