Armin Papperger, head of German defense conglomerate Rheinmetall, said Ukraine will soon receive its first ammunition from a new plant in Unterlüß, Lower Saxony, Deutsche Welle reports.
Rheinmetall, a leading German defense company, supplies Ukraine with infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, air defense systems besides ammunition. It has also established repair and maintenance facilities for armored vehicles within Ukraine.
First deliveries and 2026 plans
This year, 25,000
Armin Papperger, head of German defense conglomerate Rheinmetall, said Ukraine will soon receive its first ammunition from a new plant in Unterlüß, Lower Saxony, Deutsche Welle reports.
Rheinmetall, a leading German defense company, supplies Ukraine with infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, air defense systems besides ammunition. It has also established repair and maintenance facilities for armored vehicles within Ukraine.
First deliveries and 2026 plans
This year, 25,000 shellswill be sent to Ukraine. The factory could produce 150,000 or more next year.
“We will increase production to 350,000 for Germany and Ukraine. Next year, we can deliver at least 100,000, and later possibly 200,000 shells to Ukraine,” Papperger noted.
Ukrainian plant: plans and challenges
Rheinmetall is building a similar factory in Ukraine, but bureaucracy is slowing the process.
“I discussed this with Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal. I told him: it can be done in 14 months. Currently, the civilian part isn’t ready; a concept is needed,” the CEO explained.
He added that the plant could be ready in 12–14 months if organizational issues are resolved.
Drones in Ukraine
The company also plans to invest in drone production — not small quadcopters, but larger, high-tech systems.
“If there are opportunities — we will do it,” Papperger added.
Ukraine once again becomes the center of global security. On Independence Day, August 24, the Defence Cooperation Forum. Future Warfare was held in Kyiv, according to the Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.
The significance of this event for Ukraine is underscored by the fact that the main session was chaired by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the participation of international partners. The forum was held in a shelter.
Ukraine presented its innovations to EU and NATO partners: missiles,
Ukraine once again becomes the center of global security. On Independence Day, August 24, the Defence Cooperation Forum. Future Warfare was held in Kyiv, according to the Ukraine’s Defense Ministry.
The significance of this event for Ukraine is underscored by the fact that the main session was chaired by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy with the participation of international partners. The forum was held in a shelter.
Ukraine presented its innovations to EU and NATO partners: missiles, drones, robots, and Shahed interceptors.
A Ukrainian UAV at the Defence Cooperation Forum. Future Warfare in Kyiv. Source: Fedorov
World leaders on the future of war
The defense ministers of Denmark, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Sweden, representatives of the United Kingdom, Estonia, and the Czech Republic, as well as delegates from the EU and NATO, attended the forum.
Key issues of modern defense were discussed:
digitalization of the military sphere,
innovations,
The use of artificial intelligence in warfare.
The Defence Cooperation Forum. Future Warfare in Kyiv. Source: Fedorov
Ukraine as part of Europe’s collective security
“We will be part of the European Union and an integral part of joint security strategies. It is now important to more closely integrate our defense industries to solve common tasks,” Ukraine’s Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized.
Build in Ukraine: a new format of cooperation
Ukraine called on partners to join the Build in Ukraine program, which provides for the creation of:
factories and service centers,
production lines,
joint projects with domestic manufacturers — from co-design to licensed production.
The Defence Cooperation Forum. Future Warfare in Kyiv. Source: Fedorov
“We are strong because we are together. United by goals and values, we will win, defend Ukraine and the free world,” the defense minister stated.
Ukraine is set to begin mass production of its 3,000-kilometer-range missile Flamingo by the end of 2025 or early 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced. He said it on 21 August during a meeting with journalists, Liga reports. He added that the missile flies 3,000 kilometers and called that “important.”
This comes amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, as Germany continues to deny Ukraine the Taurus cruise missiles, which are capable of striking hardened targets such as the Kerch Strait b
Ukraine is set to begin mass production of its 3,000-kilometer-range missile Flamingo by the end of 2025 or early 2026, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced. He said it on 21 August during a meeting with journalists, Liga reports. He added that the missile flies 3,000 kilometers and called that “important.”
This comes amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian war, as Germany continues to deny Ukraine the Taurus cruise missiles, which are capable of striking hardened targets such as the Kerch Strait bridge linking Russia to occupied Crimea. Meanwhile, deliveries of Franco-British SCALP/Storm Shadow missiles remain limited due to low stockpiles.
According to Liga, Zelenskyy stated that full details of the missile program will remain undisclosed until Ukraine possesses hundreds of the missiles.
Flamingo missile confirmed as Ukraine’s longest-range missile
Zelenskyy said the Flamingo missile has already proven its range of 3,000 kilometers during testing. He noted that it is currently Ukraine’s “most successful missile we have so far.” He said more units will appear by December, and mass production is expected by the end of December or in January–February, depending on testing success and available funding.
First photos show missile under development inside Ukraine
On 17 August, Associated Press photojournalist Yefrem Lukatsky posted a Facebook update about the Flamingo missile. He shared images from a defense facility operated by Ukrainian company Fire Point. The facility is located “in an undisclosed place” inside the country. The post provided the first publicly released photos of the new long-range missile.
On 18 August, Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed the Flamingo missile exists during the presentation of the government’s action plan.
The missile manufacturer, FirePoint, stated that its Flamingo successfully passed test launches several months ago. It reportedly entered serial production, and the company was seeking to scale up manufacturing.
Analysts link Flamingo to UAE’s FP-5 cruise missile
Defense Express stated that the Flamingo is “very likely” the FP-5 cruise missile made by the UAE-based weapons firm Milanion Group. That system was first presented in early February 2025. Based on the reports, the Flamingo missile has a 3,000 km range, a 1-ton warhead, and a maximum takeoff weight of 6 tons. It can remain in the air for over four hours. The maximum speed is 950 km/h, cruising speed is 850–900 km/h, and wingspan is 6 meters.
You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.
We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society.
Become a patron or see other ways to support.
President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed a potential change in Ukraine's ambassador in Washington during a recent phone call, a source familiar with the conversation told the Kyiv Independent.Oksana Markarova has held the post since April 2021, and played a central role in coordinating U.S. military and financial support during the early phases of Russia's full-scale invasion. According to the source, the topic of replacing her was raised by Kyiv, suggesting the mov
President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed a potential change in Ukraine's ambassador in Washington during a recent phone call, a source familiar with the conversation told the Kyiv Independent.
Oksana Markarova has held the post since April 2021, and played a central role in coordinating U.S. military and financial support during the early phases of Russia's full-scale invasion.
According to the source, the topic of replacing her was raised by Kyiv, suggesting the move could be "useful for both sides." The source added that there are multiple "strong candidates" in the running.
When contacted by the Kyiv Independent, a spokesperson for Stefanishyna said they "do not comment on rumors."
The possible reshuffle comes at a moment of renewed tension between Kyiv and Washington. The U.S. Defense Department recently paused shipments of critical weapons systems, including Patriot missiles and precision-guided munitions, sparking concern in Kyiv.
The discussion about Ukraine's representation in Washington also coincides with longstanding speculation about a broader government reshuffle.
Rumors about replacing Shmyhal as prime minister have circulated since last summer. Although Zelensky replaced several officials in September 2024, Shmyhal remained in office.
Halushchenko, one of the potential ambassadorial candidates, has faced criticism in parliament. Lawmakers from the Energy Committee, led by lawmaker Inna Sovsun, introduced a motion to dismiss him in January, citing alleged corruption.
Shmyhal has served as Ukraine's Prime Minister since March 2020, overseeing national governance during a period marked by reforms and wartime crises. Before his premiership, he held key roles as Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast Governor and Vice Prime Minister.
Stefanishyna is a seasoned Ukrainian diplomat and expert in European integration who has held high-level government roles since 2020. In September 2024, she was appointed Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, and Justice Minister.
Umerov is Ukraine's current Defence Minister, appointed in September 2023. He started his political career as a member of the Parliament for the opposition party Voice (Holos). Umerov played a major role in peace talks with Russia in the early phase of the full-scale war.
The ambassadorial review comes as Kyiv seeks to strengthen its diplomatic ties with Washington.
Zelensky described his July 5 phone call with Trump as "the best conversation in all this time." The U.S. president echoed the sentiment, calling the exchange "very strategic."
Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, has been leading campaigns to supplant three top officials in the Ukrainian government, the Economist reported on July 6, citing multiple anonymous officials. The story follows a corruption probe into Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov, the highest-ranking official in Ukrainian history to face such charges while still in office. According to the Economist's sources, Yermak was a driving force behind the investigation.Yermak, President V
Andriy Yermak, head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, has been leading campaigns to supplant three top officials in the Ukrainian government, the Economist reported on July 6, citing multiple anonymous officials.
The story follows a corruption probe into Deputy Prime Minister Oleksii Chernyshov, the highest-ranking official in Ukrainian history to face such charges while still in office. According to the Economist's sources, Yermak was a driving force behind the investigation.
Yermak, President Volodymyr Zelensky's close friend and chief adviser, spurred on the Chernyshov probe while also renewing attempts to replace Kyrylo Budanov, head of Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) , and Prime Ministery Denys Shmyhal, three unnamed officials told the Economist.
There is no evidence that Yermak ordered an investigation into Chernyshov, the Economist reports, but officials told the outlet that he influenced the case by allowing it to progress while freezing other investigations.
Chernyshov ran afoul of Yermak by offering himself as an alternative liaison to Washington, the officials claimed. His removal would also reportedly clear the way for Deputy Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko, a Yermak protege, to assume the role of Prime Minister in the event of Shmyhal's dismissal.
Rumors of a government reshuffle unseating Shmyhal have circulated for months. Ukrainian media reported last summer that Zelensky was considering replacing the prime minister with Svyrydenko. While several key officials were replaced in a reshuffle in September 2024, Shmyhal kept his post.
Chernyshov, too, has said he will not step down from his role as deputy prime minister despite the ongoing corruption probe.
Reports of imminent dismissal have also periodically surrounded Budanov, Ukraine's spy chief. Budanov has rejected such rumors as "Russian propaganda" in the past.
Sources told the Economist that Yermak was leading another effort to oust Budanov in June 2025. According to the outlet, warnings from the White House not to fire Budanov may have helped secure his position.
Politico reported in June that U.S. officials, particularly those working in the Trump administration, found Yermak's diplomatic style abrasive and off-putting, potentially risking U.S.-Ukrainian relations at a critical time.
Ukraine has received another 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in macro-financial assistance from the European Union as part of a G7 loan, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on June 13."This is the fifth tranche of macro-financial assistance from the EU under the ERA Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration) initiative," Shmyhal wrote on social media. "The funds will be directed toward key expenditures of the state budget."Shmyhal thanked Ukraine's partners for their "consistent and reliable support,
Ukraine has received another 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) in macro-financial assistance from the European Union as part of a G7 loan, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced on June 13.
"This is the fifth tranche of macro-financial assistance from the EU under the ERA Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration) initiative," Shmyhal wrote on social media. "The funds will be directed toward key expenditures of the state budget."
Shmyhal thanked Ukraine's partners for their "consistent and reliable support," adding, "Together, we will make (Russia) pay for all the damage caused to Ukraine."
According to Shmyhal, Ukraine has received a total of 7 billion euros ($8 billion) from the European Union under the ERA initiative, which is funded by the windfall profits generated from immobilized Russian sovereign assets.
The ERA mechanism, launched by the G7 and backed by the EU and the United States, is a $50 billion program designed to support Ukraine through loans repaid using future income from frozen Russian assets. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022, G7 countries have frozen around $300 billion in Russian sovereign assets.
Ukraine received the previous 1-billion-euro tranche on May 8 as part of the fourth installment of EU aid under ERA.
Connexion
