Russia Lunches Hypersonic Missile Into Atlantic Ocean

The new Zirkon hypersonic missile was successfully tested by the Russian Navy using computer simulation during a manoeuvre in the Atlantic Ocean, it was announced on Wednesday.

According to the Ministry of Defence’s Telegram channel, this was done by the frigate Admiral Gorshkov during a training exercise in the western Atlantic Ocean.

Commander Igor Kromal, who appeared in a ministry-released video, attested to the simulation’s success.

The missile itself was not fired at the assumed target, which was 900 kilometres away. The video only showed the missile hatch opening after the firing command.

The missile trajectory was modelled on the screens. The test was justified as a practice run of the actual launch procedures.

The Zirkon is a sea-target missile with a long-range and enormous speed. It is said to be able to accelerate to more than 9,000 km per hour, making it practically unreachable for air defences.

The zircon could also be used to carry a nuclear warhead.

Before his re-election in 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin had threatened the West with the other three.

It said the Avangard cruise missile, the ground-launched Sarmat missile, and the Kinzhal, were launched from aircraft. The Zirkon was only officially put into service at the beginning of January.

After Admiral Gorshkov, further Russian frigates were to be equipped with the cruise missile.

Wednesday’s announcement came as the West prepared to provide Ukraine with more advanced military hardware, such as German-built Leopard 2 battle tanks, in its fight against Russia’s invasion.