00:00.
00:26Ukraine says it has struck one of Russia's most sensitive missile sites, deep inside Russian territory.
00:34On February 5, 2026, Ukraine's general staff confirmed that throughout January,
00:41its armed forces carried out a series of successful strikes on the Kapushtinyar test range in Russia's Astrakhan Oblast.
00:50This is not just any base.
00:53Kapushtinyar is a core hub for Russia's missile testing, pre-launch preparation, and even combat launches.
01:01According to Ukrainian officials, the targets were hangar-type buildings used to prepare medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles, including the Oreshnik system.
01:12The weapon used makes this strike even more significant.
01:16Ukraine says it deployed its own long-range cruise missile, the FP-5 Flamingo, a domestically produced system, reported range around 3,000 kilometers, warhead nearly 1,000 kilograms.
01:32The damage, according to Ukrainian claims, includes multiple buildings hit, at least one hangar severely damaged, and the evacuation of personnel from the area.
01:44Russia has not publicly confirmed these losses, but this is not the first time Kapushtinyar has been targeted.
01:51Ukraine previously claimed a strike there in 2023, and drone attacks were reported again in January this year.
01:58So why does this matter now?
02:02The Oreshnik missile is no ordinary weapon.
02:05It is nuclear-capable, hypersonic, and can travel up to 5,500 kilometers.
02:12It has been used sparingly, but deliberately.
02:17First, in November 2024, against Dnepro.
02:20Then, on January 8th and 9th this year, striking near Lviv, close to NATO borders.
02:27Kapushtinyar played a key role in those launches.
02:31By damaging pre-launch hangars, Ukraine may have disrupted missile assembly, fueling, and deployment processes,
02:38forcing delays, repairs, and possible relocation.
02:42This does not eliminate Russia's capability, but it slows the machine.
02:48And this strike comes at a critical moment.
02:51Russia has been pounding Ukraine with massive drone and missile barrages,
02:56targeting energy infrastructure during winter, and using Oreshnik as a strategic warning to the West.
03:03In that context, this is a big win for Kyiv.
03:07It shows Ukraine can strike over 1,000 kilometers into Russia.
03:12It undercuts Moscow's escalation narrative.
03:15And it validates Ukraine's growing missile industry, with reports suggesting flamingo production is ramping up rapidly.
03:22This was not a knockout blow, but it was a message.
03:27Ukraine can reach back.
03:29It can hit high-value targets.
03:32And even far from the front lines, it can impose a cost.
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03:48.
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