Ukrainian Flamingo cruise missiles struck a specialized tooling factory critical to Russia's Su-34, Su-35, and Su-57 production with 100% accuracy last fall, satellite imagery analysis reveals. Ukrainian Telegram channels Cyberboroshno and Exilenova+ report that all four missiles hit the Skif-M facility in Belgorod on 23 September 2025, contradicting Russian claims of successful interceptions. The Royal United Services Institute had previously identified the factory as a key vulnerability in Sukhoi aircraft manufacturing.
Satellite evidence contradicts Russian interception claims
Exilenova+ and Cyberboroshno note that Russian propaganda sources claimed only one of four missiles reached the factory. Satellite imagery, however, tells a different story. The OSINT analysts found all four Flamingo missiles struck within an 80-meter deviation radius of their targets. The 25-meter primary destruction zone is inconsistent with a single impact, suggesting Russian authorities attempted to downplay the strike's effectiveness.
The attack targeted Skif-M, not the "Belgorod Milling Cutter Plant" as initially believed. Skif-M manufactures specialized drills, cutters, and inserts essential for machining titanium, aluminum, and composite components. Seventy percent of its production serves aerospace applications. Russia's United Aircraft Corporation remains its largest customer.
Central Belgorod is only about 30 km from the Ukrainian border and 70 km from central Kharkiv.
Critical supplier for Su-34, Su-35, and Su-57 fighter jets
RUSI November 2025 analysis identified Skif-M among the vulnerable points in Sukhoi aircraft production. The company's specialized tooling processes the advanced alloys and composites used in fighter jet airframes. Its subsidiary, Skif-M DV, operates in Komsomolsk-on-Amur next to Russia's Pacific coast, just two blocks from the KnAAZ factory. KnAAZ produces Su-35 and Su-57 fighters along with Su-34 bombers.
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Despite the war, Skif-M continued importing over $7.6 million worth of equipment annually. Imports included precision machines from Germany such as the Stahli FH2-505 and Hermle C40U. Only Ukraine had imposed sanctions on the company before the strike. The US imposed its sanctions on the "Limited Liability Company Skif" earlier this month.
Damage assessment and ongoing repairs
One of the photos published by Belgorod Oblast Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov on the day of the attack showed a fire erupting inside the workshop after the strike. One missile reportedly passed through both the roof and wall before detonating on the ground outside — Gladkov’s photo shows the crater left behind. The Flamingo strike hit the main production area directly.
Satellite imagery analyzed by Exilenova+ reportedly captured the facility after workers had already removed three of four damaged roof sections. This likely occurred as part of reconstruction preparations.
Militarnyi noted that a low-resolution Copernicus satellite imagery from early January 2026 shows roof repairs remained incomplete more than three months after the attack. Analysts say this may indicate significant internal damage. Recovery, if possible at all, will be lengthy and complex given the damage to the primary production zone.
