Mike Pompeo joins Ukrainian Fire Point’s board as anti-corruption probes intensify – AP
Photo: Mike Pompeo (Getty Images)
Former US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has joined the advisory board of Ukrainian defense company Fire Point, which develops long-range drones and missiles, reports AP.
In an effort to improve its international reputation, Fire Point is building a new plant in Denmark and attracting well-known industry figures. The company also aims to expand its operations to produce battle-tested cruise missiles, planning to more than double its current capacity.
According to Fire Point's chief technical officer, Iryna Terekh, the company has commissioned a large international firm to conduct an independent audit of its pricing and production amid the Mindich tapes scandal.
The company established an advisory board and appointed Pompeo as a member on November 12. Three more people will join the board in the future.
Company executives reported that Fire Point has successfully tested its own Flamingo cruise missiles on the battlefield at least four times.
At the end of August, it was used to strike an FSB base in Armiansk in the temporarily occupied Crimea. This week, the missile was used to hit targets in Oryol, Russia.
The company adds that testing and refining the missile is an ongoing process. Training launches are still being conducted, as the first missiles were manufactured only six months ago.
Earlier, it became known that one of the figures in the Mindich case, Ihor Fursenko, got a job at a company that manufactures Flamingo rockets to be able to travel abroad. After these facts were exposed, Fire Point announced the launch of an independent audit.
About Pompeo
Mike Pompeo is the former director of the CIA and then Secretary of State in the first administration of US President Donald Trump.
He is a supporter of Trump's foreign policy, advocating strong support for Israel and a tougher line on Iran.
About Flamingo
Earlier, it was reported that Flamingo missiles outperform the American Tomahawk cruise missiles, which US President Donald Trump does not yet want to provide to Ukrainian defenders.
This missile is one of the latest developments by Ukrainian specialists. It can hit targets at a distance of up to 3,000 kilometers and carry over a ton of explosives.
Earlier, Martin Ondráček, organizer of the Gift for Putin initiative, said that the Czechs had raised about $595,000 in 48 hours to buy a Flamingo missile for Ukrainian soldiers.
