Fire Point

Fire Point is a Ukrainian defence technology company headquartered in Kyiv. Established in 2022 after the Russian full-scale invasion, the company was formed by a multidisciplinary group of engineers, architects, and game designers who sought to create relatively inexpensive, scalable weapons for Ukraine's defence effort. Its work has focused on unmanned strike aircraft and increasingly on cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and missile-defence technologies. The company's best-known products are the FP-1 family of long-range one-way attack drones and the FP-5 Flamingo ground-launched cruise missile. The FP-1 is designed for deep-strike missions against targets such as ammunition depots, fuel infrastructure, command facilities, and other military assets. Public descriptions give it a range of up to approximately 1,600 kilometres when carrying a 50-kilogram warhead, with a larger maximum payload under shorter-range or modified configurations. The design emphasizes modular construction, relatively simple assembly, and resilience against electronic warfare. Fire Point has also developed the FP-2 as a shorter-range, heavier-payload derivative intended to meet frontline requirements. Fire Point initially operated from improvised workshops, but later expanded into several concealed production locations in and around Kyiv. The distributed manufacturing model is intended to reduce vulnerability to Russian air attacks and to support rapid output growth. Publicly reported production figures describe a substantial increase from an initial objective of several dozen FP-1 units per month to more than 100 drones per day by the middle of 2025. Reported manufacturing cost for an FP-1 was approximately US$55,000, although this figure is a historical media estimate rather than a disclosed company financial statement. In 2025, Fire Point introduced the FP-5 Flamingo, a large ground-launched cruise missile publicly described as having a range of up to 3,000 kilometres and a warhead of approximately 1,150 kilograms. The company opened a production site to Associated Press journalists, an unusual degree of publicity for a Ukrainian weapons manufacturer operating under wartime conditions. Ukrainian sources subsequently attributed an August 2025 strike against a Federal Security Service facility in Crimea to Flamingo missiles, although operational details and independent verification remain limited. The company has broadened its portfolio beyond drones and cruise missiles. The FP-7 is described as a tactical ballistic missile with a range of roughly 200 kilometres, a warhead of about 150 kilograms, and modern electronics built around a simplified adaptation of the Soviet-era 48N6 interceptor. Fire Point has also presented the FP-9, a longer-range ballistic missile concept, and the FP-7.x, an anti-ballistic interceptor intended to form part of the European Freyja missile-defence programme. The latter is intended to use open interfaces and work with European radar systems, with guidance cooperation reported with Diehl Defence. Fire Point works with Ukraine's Ministry of Defence, military research bodies, and frontline units to integrate its systems and incorporate battlefield feedback. Its rapid growth has also brought scrutiny. In August 2025, Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau was reported to be examining allegations concerning component pricing and the number of drones supplied to the Ministry of Defence, as well as possible links to Timur Mindich, a co-owner of the Kvartal 95 television studio. Fire Point acknowledged that an investigation existed and denied the allegations. NABU later indicated that the FP-5 Flamingo itself was not the subject of the investigation. The company subsequently established an advisory board in November 2025, and former United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo was reported to have joined it. Fire Point remains an active wartime defence manufacturer, but information about its ownership, finances, corporate structure, and international sales is limited.

Fire Point was founded in Ukraine in 2022, after the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion. Its founding team brought together people from engineering, architecture, and game development rather than relying solely on the traditional defence-industrial establishment. The initial objective was to produce useful unmanned systems quickly and at a lower cost than many conventional weapons, while adapting designs to the realities of electronic warfare, dispersed manufacturing, and battlefield attrition. The company began in makeshift workshops and subsequently moved toward a network of concealed production sites in Kyiv and nearby areas. Such facilities help limit the consequences of Russian air strikes and allow production to be distributed across multiple locations. Fire Point's early focus was the FP-1 family, a propeller-driven one-way attack drone intended for deep strikes. The system was designed around modularity and straightforward assembly, with public descriptions assigning it a range of up to approximately 1,600 kilometres when carrying a 50-kilogram warhead. The company later reported a major increase in output, moving from an initial target of 30 units per month to more than 100 units per day by mid-2025. A reported production cost of approximately US$55,000 per aircraft helped establish the company's image as a high-volume, lower-cost strike supplier. Fire Point developed the FP-2 as a shorter-range derivative for frontline use. It reportedly trades the FP-1's deep-strike range for a heavier payload, with a stated range of about 200 kilometres and a warhead of approximately 105 kilograms. Some FP-2 payloads are based on existing aerial bombs, while others are supplied by external manufacturers. The system has been used in Ukrainian operations, but its warheads also became the subject of criticism from Major Robert Brovdi, who argued that some performed below their declared specifications. Fire Point co-founder and chief designer Denis Shtilerman responded that the warheads came from third-party suppliers and that the company used routine inspections for quality control. In 2025, Fire Point expanded into cruise missiles with the FP-5 Flamingo. The ground-launched weapon was publicly described as weighing around 6,000 kilograms, carrying a warhead of approximately 1,150 kilograms, and reaching as far as 3,000 kilometres. Its airframe uses radar-transparent fiberglass construction. Production was reported to have begun at roughly 30 missiles per month, with a target of 210 monthly units by October 2025. Ukrainian sources attributed an August 2025 strike in Crimea to Flamingo missiles and described it as an early combat use, although public evidence about the operation is incomplete. The company later disclosed additional missile concepts. The FP-7 is a tactical ballistic missile described as having an operational range of up to about 200 kilometres, a warhead near 150 kilograms, and a top speed of approximately 1,500 metres per second. A test on 28 February 2026 reportedly used a simplified, modernized adaptation of the Soviet 48N6 missile. The system uses a hot-launch method and is intended to be deployable from launchers disguised as ordinary trucks. Fire Point also presented the longer-range FP-9, described as capable of reaching approximately 855 kilometres with an 800-kilogram warhead and a peak velocity of about 2,200 metres per second. Fire Point's missile-defence work includes the FP-7.x interceptor and the wider Freyja project. The interceptor is intended to destroy ballistic missiles using a high-speed kill vehicle and an open architecture compatible with radar systems such as Saab Giraffe, Thales Ground Master, and Hensoldt TRML. Cooperation with Diehl Defence on guidance was reported. In July 2026, a multinational European statement identified Freyja as a project intended to provide a more affordable alternative to Patriot-class missile defence. The company's expansion has been accompanied by political and regulatory scrutiny. In August 2025, NABU was reported to have opened an investigation into possible overstatement of component costs or drone deliveries to Ukraine's Ministry of Defence, alongside possible connections to Timur Mindich, a co-owner of the Kvartal 95 television studio associated with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Fire Point acknowledged the investigation and denied wrongdoing. NABU initially did not comment and later stated that the FP-5 Flamingo was not under investigation. Fire Point formed an advisory board in November 2025, and Mike Pompeo was reported to have joined it later that month. The company continues to operate as an active Ukrainian defence manufacturer, although independent information about its ownership, financial performance, and commercial contracts remains scarce.

• 2026

  FP-7 test is reported

  [1]Fire Point (Ukrainian firm)en.wikipedia.org

  The company reportedly tests the FP-7 tactical ballistic missile using a hot-launch configuration.

• 2025

  FP-5 Flamingo is introduced

  [1]Fire Point (Ukrainian firm)en.wikipedia.org

  The company presents the FP-5 Flamingo ground-launched cruise missile and begins scaling its production.

• 2025

  NABU investigation is reported

  [1]Fire Point (Ukrainian firm)en.wikipedia.org

  Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau is reported to be examining allegations concerning component prices, drone deliveries, and possible political connections.

• 2025

  FP-7 and FP-9 are presented at MSPO

  [1]Fire Point (Ukrainian firm)en.wikipedia.org

  Fire Point displays two ballistic missile systems at the MSPO defence exhibition in Poland.

• 2024

  FP-1 series is publicly unveiled

  [1]Fire Point (Ukrainian firm)en.wikipedia.org

  Fire Point introduces its FP-1 deep-strike drone family, publicly associated with ranges of up to approximately 1,600 kilometres.

• 2022

  Fire Point is established

  [1]Fire Point (Ukrainian firm)en.wikipedia.org

  A multidisciplinary Ukrainian team forms Fire Point in response to the Russian full-scale invasion and the need for rapidly producible defence systems.

A wartime Ukrainian defence technology manufacturer positioned around affordable, rapidly producible, combat-informed strike and missile-defence systems.

• Long-range one-way attack drone · 2024

  FP-1 series

  The FP-1 is a propeller-driven deep-strike drone designed for one-way attacks against targets far behind the front line. Public descriptions give it a range of up to approximately 1,600 kilometres with a 50-kilogram warhead and a maximum payload of about 120 kilograms. Its modular structure, relatively simple assembly, and stated electronic-warfare resilience support high-volume production. Reported targets include ammunition depots, oil infrastructure, and command facilities.

• Mid-range one-way attack drone

  FP-2 series

  The FP-2 adapts the FP-1 concept for shorter-range frontline missions. Publicly reported specifications include a range of about 200 kilometres and a warhead of approximately 105 kilograms, with a planned payload increase to around 158 kilograms. Payloads may include existing aerial bombs or externally supplied warheads. The system has been used operationally, while warhead performance and supplier quality have attracted criticism from a Ukrainian unmanned-systems commander.

• Ground-launched cruise missile · 2025

  FP-5 Flamingo

  The FP-5 Flamingo is a large ground-launched cruise missile introduced in 2025. It is publicly described as weighing approximately 6,000 kilograms, carrying a warhead of about 1,150 kilograms, and having a maximum range of up to 3,000 kilometres. Its airframe uses radar-transparent fiberglass winding. Ukrainian sources have attributed at least one 2025 strike in Crimea to the system, though publicly available operational evidence is limited.

• Tactical ballistic missile · 2025

  FP-7

  The FP-7 is a tactical ballistic missile reported to have a range of up to approximately 200 kilometres, a warhead of roughly 150 kilograms, and a top speed near 1,500 metres per second. It incorporates modern electronics and Ukrainian solid fuel into a simplified design derived from the Soviet 48N6 missile. Its hot-launch system is intended to support rapid deployment and concealment from mobile launchers.

• Anti-ballistic missile interceptor · 2026

  FP-7.x

  The FP-7.x is an anti-ballistic interceptor concept associated with the Freyja missile-defence programme. It is intended to destroy incoming ballistic missiles using a high-speed kill vehicle and an open architecture capable of integration with several European surveillance and fire-control radars. Fire Point has announced plans to cooperate with Diehl Defence on guidance technology.

• Short-range ballistic missile · 2025

  FP-9

  The FP-9 is a ballistic missile system presented by Fire Point in 2025. Publicly reported specifications describe a range of up to approximately 855 kilometres, a maximum velocity near 2,200 metres per second, an 800-kilogram warhead, and an accuracy of roughly 20 metres. The system is intended for attacks against high-value targets deep behind opposing lines.

• 2025

  NABU investigation into Fire Point

  The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine was reported to be investigating whether Fire Point had overstated the cost of components used in its systems, the number of drones supplied to the Ministry of Defence, or both. Reporting also discussed possible links to Timur Mindich, a co-owner of the Kvartal 95 television studio. Fire Point confirmed that an investigation existed and denied the allegations. NABU later said that the FP-5 Flamingo missile was not under investigation.

  Source

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• 2026

  Participation in the Freyja missile-defence programmeStrategy

  Background

  European partners sought a more affordable and interoperable alternative for defending against ballistic missiles.

  Action taken

  Fire Point architected the Freyja project and developed the FP-7.x interceptor concept around open interfaces and European radar integration.

  Aftermath

  The project was endorsed in a multinational European statement, but its final procurement and deployment status remains unclear.

  Source

• 2025

  Expansion from drones into cruise missilesProduct launch

  Background

  Fire Point sought to broaden its strike portfolio beyond one-way attack drones and address longer-range precision-strike requirements.

  Action taken

  The company introduced the FP-5 Flamingo and publicized plans for substantially increased missile production.

  Aftermath

  The company became more prominent internationally and was subsequently associated with reported operational use in Crimea, although independent details remain limited.

  Source

• 2025

  Move toward a distributed wartime manufacturing modelStrategy

  Background

  Concealed facilities reduce the risk that a single Russian strike will halt production.

  Action taken

  Fire Point expanded from makeshift workshops to multiple covert production sites in Kyiv and surrounding regions.

  Aftermath

  Publicly reported output increased sharply, with the company described as employing more than 500 people.

  Source

1. 1Fire Point (Ukrainian firm)en.wikipedia.org
2. 2Fire Point official websitefirepoint.technology