The Russian Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, that its troops had captured the village of Hrafske in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region, attributing the advance to the Sever (North) group of forces.
In an official statement, the ministry described the operation as successful in seizing control of the settlement, which lies in a contested area near the border. Hrafske is a relatively small village, but its location in the Kharkiv direction makes it strategically relevant amid ongoing Russian efforts to push deeper into the region and create buffer zones. Independent verification of battlefield claims from either side remains difficult due to restricted access, limited on-the-ground reporting, and the fog of war.
The announcement follows a pattern of incremental Russian gains in the Kharkiv and neighboring Sumy regions in recent months, where Moscow has sought to exploit perceived weaknesses in Ukrainian defenses and stretch Kyiv’s resources along the northern front.
In a contrasting development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed at a news conference in Kyiv on Wednesday that Ukraine’s domestically produced Flamingo missiles had successfully struck targets deep inside Russian territory at a range of 1,400 kilometers (approximately 870 miles).
“There were precise attacks with Flamingo missiles at 1,400 kilometers. I think this is a real success for our industry,” Zelenskyy stated.
He highlighted that production of the long-range missile had been restored following earlier Russian strikes on Ukrainian defense enterprises. “Now Ukraine is increasing production as far as finances and the availability of components allow,” he added.
Zelenskyy acknowledged that Russian air defenses attempted to intercept the missiles but emphasized the overall success of the operation: “The Russian air defense shot some of the missiles down. There were also clear hits. But the most important thing is that all launched rockets reached the designated target.”
The Flamingo missile, developed by Ukrainian defense industry enterprises, represents a significant step in Kyiv’s push to field longer-range strike capabilities. While exact technical specifications remain classified, Zelenskyy’s reference to a 1,400 km range—if accurate—would place it among the longest-range systems in Ukraine’s arsenal, capable of reaching deep into Russian rear areas, including military logistics hubs, airfields, and command infrastructure.
Independent verification of the claimed strike distance and target effects is not yet possible due to the ongoing conflict and limited access to Russian-controlled territory. Russian authorities have not publicly acknowledged any such attack at that range on Wednesday, though Moscow routinely downplays or denies Ukrainian deep strikes.
The dual developments underscore the evolving dynamics of the war as it enters its fourth year: Russia continues to pursue slow, grinding territorial advances in the east and north, while Ukraine focuses on asymmetric capabilities—including long-range precision strikes—to disrupt Russian operations far behind the front lines.
Zelenskyy’s comments also reflect Kyiv’s emphasis on ramping up domestic defense production amid constrained foreign supplies and the need for sustainable, long-term munitions output. The restoration and scaling of Flamingo production—despite repeated Russian targeting of industrial facilities—illustrates Ukraine’s resilience in rebuilding critical capabilities under wartime conditions.
As both sides trade claims and counter-claims, the battlefield situation in Kharkiv and the broader impact of Ukraine’s emerging long-range strike potential remain closely watched by military analysts and international observers.
