Russia Launches Hypersonic Zircon Missile in Zapad-2025 Military Exercises

The Russian Northern Fleet launched a hypersonic missile, “Zircon,” in the Barents Sea as part of the joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises known as “Zapad-2025.” The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed that the missile struck its target directly, demonstrating the weapon’s high accuracy and effectiveness.

The “Zircon,” which was officially accepted into service in 2023, represents one of the most advanced developments from the Russian military-industrial complex. According to President Vladimir Putin, the missile boasts a range exceeding 1,000 kilometers and can reach speeds up to ten times the speed of sound, making it a challenging target for air defense systems.

The Zapad-2025 exercises further illustrate the military collaboration between Russia and Belarus. The Russian Defense Ministry emphasized that the successful deployment of the Zircon missile underscores the fleet’s readiness to address contemporary challenges.