"Flamingo" reached a rocket factory 1,200 kilometers away: strategic plant in Kirov engulfed in flames

On the morning of July 24, 2026, the Ukrainian cruise missile FP-5 “Flamingo” struck the Vyatskoye Machine-Building Enterprise “AviTek” in the Russian city of Kirov. The chief designer and co-owner of Fire Point, Denys Shtilerman, published a video of the missile launch on the social network X. Later, Fire Point officially confirmed that the target was the “AviTek” enterprise.

The first explosions in Kirov were heard in the morning. Footage released by local residents showed thick black smoke and a large-scale fire on the territory of the defense enterprise. According to preliminary data, at least one missile hit one of the largest plant buildings. The exact scale of the damage can be assessed after the appearance of satellite images or video directly from the enterprise’s territory.

The plant is located more than 1,200 kilometers from the territory of Ukraine, which once again demonstrated the ability of Ukrainian long-range weapons to strike military targets deep in the rear of the aggressor state.

“AviTek” is part of the Russian aerospace defense concern “Almaz-Antey” – one of the main developers and manufacturers of Russian air defense systems. The enterprise has a full production cycle: from foundry, forging and press and mechanical work to final assembly and testing of finished products.

One of the plant’s main activities is the production of surface-to-air guided missiles, target missiles and components for the Tor air defense missile systems. These systems are used by Russian occupation forces to protect military facilities and units from aircraft, missiles and drones.

The enterprise is also involved in the production cooperation of Russian cruise missiles. In particular, it supplies launch units and gas generators for turbofan engines used in the X-101 missiles and the aviation missiles X-59M2/X-59M2A. It is the X-101 that Russian occupiers regularly launch from strategic bombers during mass attacks on Ukrainian cities, energy facilities and civilian infrastructure.

According to the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, “AviTek” supplies 526M launch units, which are used in turbofan engines of the TRDD-50 family. Such power units are applied in various types of Russian cruise missiles. Damage to the enterprise may affect not only the production of air defense means but also the supply chains for components for Russia’s long-range missile weapons.

Another area of the plant’s work is the production, repair and modernization of K-36DM ejection seats. They are installed on Russian fighters and fighter-bombers, including the Su-34 and Su-57. Ejection systems are designed to save pilots in the event of an accident or the aircraft being hit.

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, also confirmed the strike on the military enterprise in Kirov. According to him, the plant supplied components for aviation and missile equipment that Russia uses during mass strikes on Ukrainian cities and communities.

At the time of preparing this material, final data on the scale of destruction, destroyed equipment and possible suspension of production processes have not been released. At the same time, videos from the scene confirm a significant fire in one of the plant’s central buildings.

Earlier we wrote:

• Almost half of Russia’s oil refining stopped: Ukrainian drones caused $13.5 billion in damage to the industry
• 700 kilometers didn’t help: Zelensky reported strikes on two Russian refineries
• A plant for “Iskanders”, the “Dubna” center and the “Kavkaz” port: the Ukrainian Armed Forces carried out a series of strikes on Russian facilities
• Long-range strikes without warning: the occupiers lose radars and “Pantsirs”
• Ukraine strikes at Russia’s war economy: refineries, air defenses, command posts and drone production hit