The Russian Navy on Saturday successfully test-fired a hypersonic Zircon cruise missile amid the ongoing war with Ukraine.
The Russian Defense Ministry said that in a demonstration of the military’s long-range strike capability, the missile was fired at a range of about 1,000 km (625 mi).
The Admiral Gorshkov frigate of the Northern Fleet in the White Sea launched a Zircon cruise missile in the Barents Sea, which successfully hit an exercise target in the White Sea about 1,000 kilometers (540 nautical miles) away, the Defense Ministry said.
Hypersonic weapons can travel up to nine times the speed of sound.
Russia has carried out previous test launches of the Zircon, which is set to enter service later this year from warships and submarines last year.
The country conducted the first zircon test in October 2020, which President Vladimir Putinn as part of a new generation of unrivaled weapon systems.
Putin has said that the zircon is capable of flying nine times the speed of sound and has a range of 1,000 kilometers (620 miles).
In a veiled warning to the US, he also emphasized that its deployment would significantly increase the capability of Russia’s military.
The Zircon is intended to arm Russian cruisers, frigates and submarines and can be used against both enemy ships and ground targets.
Russian officials have claimed Zircon’s potential, saying that it is impossible to intercept existing anti-missile systems.
Putin, who has sternly warned Western allies against interfering in Ukraine, has warned in the past that Russian warships equipped with Zircon will allow Russia to strike “decision-making centers” within minutes if deployed in neutral waters. Will give capacity
Last month, Russia test-launched a new nuclear-capable intercontinental missile, the Sarmat, capable of carrying 10 or more warheads and striking the United States.
It comes as Russia’s military suffered heavy losses of men and equipment during a three-month invasion of Ukraine, which it calls a “special operation”.