Russia’s navy conducted another successful test with a potential hypersonic missile. This was a demonstration of its long-range strike capabilities amid fighting in Ukraine.
On Saturday, the Russian navy conducted another test of its potential hypersonic missile. This was a demonstration of its long-range strike capabilities amid fighting in Ukraine.
According to the Defense Ministry, the Admiral Gorshkov frigate from the Northern Fleet in White Sea launched the Zircon cruise ballistic missile in the Barents Sea. It hit a target in White Sea approximately 1,000 km (540 nautical miles).
This launch was the latest in a series testing Zircon. It is expected to enter service later in the year.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Zircon can fly at nine times speed and has a range 1,000 km (620 miles). Putin stressed that the deployment of Zircon will greatly increase Russia’s military capabilities.
Zircon is designed to arm Russian cruisers and frigates, as well as submarines. It can also be used against enemy ships and ground targets. It is one of many hypersonic missiles currently under development in Russia.
Russian officials boasted of Zircon’s capabilities, claiming that it is impossible to intercept with anti-missile systems.
Putin has repeatedly warned Western allies not to interfere in Ukraine. He has also warned that Russian warships equipped with Zircon could give Russia the ability to strike “decision-making centres” in minutes if they were deployed in neutral waters.
