In a move that’s drawing attention across defense circles, the Ukrainian arms manufacturer Fire Point has unveiled its latest battlefield innovation: the FP-2 mid-range strike drone. The reveal took place at the MSPO defense exhibition in Kielce, Poland, during the first week of September 2025, marking another leap in Ukraine’s rapidly evolving drone arsenal. As the war with Russia grinds through its third year, both sides are scrambling for technological advantages, and Ukraine’s new drone offerings suggest it’s not content to play catch-up.
According to Militarnyi, a Ukrainian military outlet, the FP-2 builds on the company’s earlier FP-1 model—a drone that made headlines for its ability to strike targets deep inside Russian territory. While the FP-1 boasted a remarkable range of up to 1,600 kilometers and carried a 120-kilogram warhead, the new FP-2 takes a different approach. Its range is trimmed to 200 kilometers, but it packs a heavier punch with a 105-kilogram warhead, designed specifically to target Russian positions near the front lines.
Developers at Fire Point say the FP-2 isn’t just a prototype or future promise—it’s already in use on the front lines as of early September 2025. The drone can operate autonomously, striking stationary targets with precision, or it can be manually guided by an operator via radio link to chase down moving objects. Its dual-mode operation means it’s equally capable during both day and night, a flexibility that’s become increasingly crucial in modern warfare. And with options for both stationary launchers and mobile systems disguised as ordinary army trucks or lorries, Ukrainian troops can deploy the FP-2 with a level of stealth and adaptability that keeps adversaries guessing.
The timing of this new drone’s debut is telling. As reported by Ukrainska Pravda, Russia has begun fielding upgraded Shahed-136 (also known as "Geran-2") drones with heavier warheads for similar frontline attacks. Both sides are leaning heavily on unmanned aerial vehicles for reconnaissance and strikes, and the arms race in the skies is only intensifying.
Ukraine’s hope is that the FP-2 will help offset persistent shortages of precision missiles, a sore spot that’s hampered some of its operations. Some military experts, cited by Kyiv Post, even suggest that the FP-2’s low-altitude flight profile and potential for mass deployment could overwhelm Russian air defenses, in some cases proving more effective than the US-supplied HIMARS rockets that have become a staple of Ukraine’s arsenal. That’s a bold claim, but it speaks to the growing confidence among Ukrainian engineers and strategists.
One of the key advantages touted by Fire Point is the FP-2’s compatibility with the existing FP-1 infrastructure. This means that mass production and speedy delivery to Ukrainian units could be on the horizon, reducing the logistical headaches that often come with fielding new technology in a war zone. As the drone wars escalate, speed and scale are as important as raw technical specs.
But the FP-2 isn’t the only new tool in Ukraine’s kit. At the same MSPO exhibition, Fire Point announced a suite of new projects, including the FP-7 and FP-9 ballistic missiles. The FP-7 is designed for a 200-kilometer range with a 150-kilogram warhead, and the FP-9 pushes the envelope further with an 855-kilometer reach and a massive 800-kilogram payload. These developments underscore Ukraine’s determination to stay one step ahead in the ongoing arms race.
Perhaps the most headline-grabbing announcement came in August 2025, when Ukraine unveiled its Flamingo missile. According to Kyiv Post, the Flamingo boasts a staggering range of 3,000 kilometers (about 1,864 miles), surpassing all Western weaponry supplied to Ukraine so far. Fire Point claims the Flamingo is superior to the US-made Tomahawk cruise missile, which Ukraine still hasn’t received. The production line is reportedly ramping up: as of August, the manufacturer said it could produce one missile per day, with plans to increase output to seven per day by October 2025.
The Flamingo isn’t just a showpiece—Ukrainian officials believe it was used in a recent strike targeting Russian bases and airfields in occupied Crimea. If true, this would mark a significant escalation in Ukraine’s ability to project power deep into enemy-held territory, potentially shifting the balance of deterrence.
Meanwhile, the FP-1 drone, introduced earlier in spring 2025, remains a critical long-range strike asset. With a range of up to 1,600 kilometers and a 120-kilogram warhead, it has already been used to hit targets deep inside Russia, setting the stage for the more specialized FP-2 to take on frontline duties.
Fire Point’s approach to drone warfare is as much about versatility as it is about firepower. The FP-2’s ability to operate autonomously or under manual control, its day-and-night functionality, and the choice between stationary or mobile launch platforms give Ukrainian forces a toolkit that can adapt to rapidly changing battlefield conditions. The mobile launcher, disguised as a lorry, is a particularly clever touch—enabling surprise attacks and quick redeployment, all while blending in with standard military logistics.
As the conflict stretches into its third year, the emphasis on drones is no accident. Both Ukraine and Russia are searching for ways to break the deadlock, and unmanned systems offer a way to strike hard without risking pilots or expensive crewed aircraft. The FP-2’s heavier payload means it can take out more fortified targets, while its relatively short range keeps it focused on the high-intensity battles raging along the front.
Of course, Ukraine’s technological leaps are being closely watched by Western allies and adversaries alike. The country’s ability to innovate under fire—sometimes outpacing even its own suppliers—has won it both admiration and new security challenges. The announcement of the Flamingo missile’s production ramp-up, for instance, may raise eyebrows in Moscow and beyond, as longer-range strikes become a real possibility.
For now, Fire Point’s unveiling of the FP-2 and its stable of new weapons signals a new phase in Ukraine’s defense strategy. The blending of homegrown innovation with battlefield pragmatism is helping the country punch above its weight, even as the war’s toll continues to mount. Whether these new drones and missiles will turn the tide remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Ukraine is determined to keep pushing the technological envelope, whatever the cost.
With every new drone and missile, the stakes get higher—and the world is watching to see what comes next.
