The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that the new Ukrainian Flamingo and Ruta missiles have already been used in combat conditions. This happened during a meeting with journalists on Tuesday in Kiev, the BBC reports.
""Flamingo" — was used in combat. "Ruta" — was used in combat. We are doing everything possible to test them more seriously this year — not once or twice, but on a real scale. Their repeated use has already shown that a real result can be achieved," Zelensky said.
The Flamingo missile is a heavy cruise missile with a range up to 3,000 kilometers, which the president called "the most successful modern Ukrainian development". The two systems are part of a new generation of Ukrainian weapons designed to reduce dependence on Western supplies and strengthen defense capabilities.
During the same meeting, Zelensky confirmed that Kiev is conducting parallel negotiations with Sweden, the United States and France for the supply of Gripen, F-16 and Rafale fighter jets.
"Our common goal is to receive about 250 modern aircraft — Swedish Gripen, American F-16 and French Rafale. Given the experience of our pilots and the capabilities of the enemy, this is the optimal choice for Ukraine," the president was quoted as saying by RBC-Ukraine.
The country's priority is the Swedish Gripen fighter jets, which are cheaper to produce and maintain and can carry a wide range of weapons. Zelensky announced that a preliminary agreement had been reached for the supply of 150 Gripen E aircraft and for localization of their production in Ukraine.
The Saab company is already discussing the possibility of opening a plant for final assembly and testing of the aircraft on Ukrainian territory, the Financial Times reported.
The president also commented on a statement by Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk that Ukraine was ready to fight for another two to three years. Zelensky stressed that his words were not a forecast, but a statement about the need for stable international support.
"I have made it clear to all European leaders: Ukraine will not fight for decades. But you must show that you can stably support us for a certain period of time," he said.
Zelensky added that European partners are already preparing a financial program for the next two to three years, which will guarantee assistance to Ukraine regardless of political changes.
"The war may end earlier, but money is still needed — for reconstruction and stability. This is not a matter of "the desire to fight, but the ability to resist," the Ukrainian head of state concluded.