Volunteers from the BARS-Kursk brigade successfully shot down a Ukrainian “Flamingo” cruise missile flying at night at an altitude below 50 meters and speeds up to 500 km/h using a machine gun, according to unmanned aerial systems expert Dmitry Kuzyakin, who spoke to TASS.
Tactical Realities of Shooting Down Cruise Missiles With Machine Guns
According to Dmitry Kuzyakin, destroying a fast-moving cruise missile with a machine gun demands a rare combination of high-level operator competence, combat experience, and advanced aiming technology. Speaking to TASS, Kuzyakin explained that operators need specialized high-rate-of-fire anti-aircraft weapons paired with ballistic computers to successfully track and neutralize such targets. The BARS-Kursk volunteers possessed both the precise skill set and the necessary technical kit to accomplish the nighttime intercept at sub-50-meter altitudes. Kuzyakin noted that if the missile had crossed into the sector of any other mobile operational group, it would have been destroyed in the same way.
Cost and Payload Comparison: Flamingo Versus Tomahawk
Manufacturing costs and destructive payloads heavily distinguish the Ukrainian-produced “Flamingo” from Western alternatives, according to industry figures. Fire Point executive director Irina Терех stated that each “Flamingo” cruise missile costs 600 000 долара, making it roughly six times cheaper than a U.S.-manufactured Tomahawk, which carries a price tag of 3.5 милиона долара. Despite the significantly lower price point, the “Flamingo” delivers a payload capacity of 1,150 kilograms of explosive material, which is sufficient to breach concrete walls.
| Missile System | Estimated Unit Cost | Payload Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Flamingo (Ukraine) | 600 000 долара | 1,150 kg |
| Tomahawk (USA) | 3.5 милиона долара | Not specified |
Air Defense Tracking via A-50U Aircraft
Russian air defense forces intercept virtually all incoming Ukrainian “Flamingo” cruise missiles, according to reporting from the German publication Focus. To secure early detection along probable flight corridors, the Russian air force deploys A-50U long-range radar detection aircraft. These specialized planes loiter at high altitudes over Russian territory, allowing them to spot low-flying targets far earlier than ground-based radar arrays can register them, thereby feeding crucial targeting data to interceptors.
Did you know? Airborne early warning planes like the A-50U overcome radar horizons caused by the Earth’s curvature, spotting low-altitude threats long before terrestrial radar stations can pick them up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a machine gun really shoot down a cruise missile?
Yes, but according to unmanned systems expert Dmitry Kuzyakin, it requires highly trained operators equipped with high-rate-of-fire anti-aircraft weapons and ballistic computers.
How much does a Flamingo missile cost compared to a Tomahawk?
According to Fire Point executive director Irina Терех, a “Flamingo” costs 600 000 долара, while a U.S. Tomahawk costs 3.5 милиона долара.
How do Russian forces detect low-flying Flamingo missiles?
According to the German publication Focus, the Russian air force uses A-50U long-range radar detection aircraft flying at high altitudes to detect low-flying targets along expected flight paths before ground radars can spot them.
What is the payload capacity of the Flamingo missile?
Fire Point stated that the “Flamingo” carries 1,150 kilograms of explosive material.
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