Pompeo's Strategic Move into Ukrainian Defence
In a significant development for international defence relations, former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has been appointed to the advisory board of Fire Point, a leading Ukrainian defence company. This move comes as the firm, renowned for its long-range drones capable of striking deep inside Russia, aggressively expands its missile production capabilities while navigating an ongoing corruption investigation.
Expansion and International Scrutiny
Fire Point is undertaking a major international expansion to bolster its reputation. The company is establishing a new factory in Denmark dedicated to producing essential solid rocket propellent, a critical component for its weapons systems. This initiative is part of the so-called Danish model, a financing mechanism where foreign governments directly fund Ukrainian defence companies rather than procuring weapons from their own industries.
Iryna Terekh, Fire Point’s chief technology officer, emphasised the importance of this growth, stating from a factory floor, "It’s a big honour for us. We decided that since we are growing into a big international company, we have to ensure we are following the clearest and best corporate standards." The company announced Pompeo's appointment on 12 November, with three other individuals set to join the advisory board.
Ramping Up Missile Production
Building on the success of its FP-1 deep-strike drone, Fire Point is now focusing on scaling up production of its Flamingo cruise missile, also known as the FP-5. The Associated Press was granted exclusive access to a secret Ukrainian factory where the missile is assembled. For security reasons, the exact location was not disclosed due to the risk of Russian attacks.
Company executives revealed the Flamingo missile has been successfully tested on the battlefield at least four times, including a strike on an FSB base in occupied Armiansk, Crimea, in late August, and more recently on targets in the Russian city of Oryol. The missile's design incorporates carbon fibre hulls, a material better suited to eluding Russian radars than traditional aluminium.
Maksym, the head of design who gave only his first name for security, explained, "As of now we are still doing training launching, because our rockets were manufactured just six months ago. Right now, we are training, but we are training on objects in the territory of Russia and Crimea." He added that overcoming Russian radar and electronic warfare systems remains a constant challenge.
The Shadow of a Corruption Probe
Fire Point's rapid ascent has not been without controversy. The company's growth is occurring alongside an ongoing investigation by Ukraine’s anti-corruption watchdogs, launched a year ago. Authorities are examining whether Fire Point inflated component prices or drone quantities in its Defence Ministry contracts for the FP-1 drone.
Scrutiny also falls on potential links between the company and Tymur Mindich, a notorious associate of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy who is implicated in a major corruption scandal. Critics point to the company's opaque origins and its monopoly on contracts with the Defence Ministry. The legally listed owner is Yehor Skalyha, who maintains connections to the entertainment industry, similar to Mindich.
However, company founder Denys Shtilerman told AP that he is the majority owner, with Skalyha owning just 2%. While Shtilerman admitted to meeting Mindich on several occasions, the company firmly denies any business links. In a proactive move to address concerns, Fire Point has commissioned a major international firm to conduct an independent audit of its pricing and production.
"We completely support, as a company, the fact that this investigation is happening," said Terekh. "We will be waiting for the results to come." It is important to note that anti-corruption agencies have confirmed they are not investigating the Flamingo missile itself.
Funding and Future Trajectory
Fire Point has become a major player in Ukraine's defence sector, reporting around $1 billion in revenue this year. Its weapons are in high demand among Ukrainian forces, especially as Western missiles remain difficult to access in sufficient quantities.
The company's crowdfunding efforts have also seen success. A Czech organisation, Weapons to Ukraine, raised approximately $500,000 in just two days to purchase a Flamingo missile, which engineers subsequently adorned with a pink flamingo painting. Jan Polak, a member of the organisation, stated, "We feel that they are fighting for us," explaining their motivation for funding the procurement.
With the backing of high-profile figures like Mike Pompeo and a clear expansion strategy, Fire Point is positioning itself as a vital, albeit scrutinised, force in Ukraine's defence against Russian aggression.
