Breaking News: Ukraine Reports First Use of Russian Zircon Hypersonic Missile in Attack on Kyiv.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has confirmed that Russia deployed the formidable Zircon hypersonic missile against Kyiv, marking its inaugural use in the ongoing conflict that has spanned nearly two years. The startling announcement came on Monday from the head of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, shedding light on a significant escalation in the warfare tactics employed by Russia.
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Russia Tsirkon or 3M22 Zircon ship-launched hypersonic cruise missile Fact Sheet. (Picture editing Army Recognition Group)

According to an exclusive statement released on the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise Telegram channel, evidence collected from the debris of an attack on the Ukrainian capital on February 7, 2024, conclusively indicates the utilization of the Zircon hypersonic cruise missile by Russian forces. This development poses an unprecedented challenge to Ukraine's air defense systems, signaling a new phase in the conflict dynamics.

The Zircon missile is considered "not interceptable" by current defense systems due to a combination of its hypersonic speed, flight trajectory, and maneuverability.

The 3M22 Zircon, or Tsirkon, stands as a cutting-edge hypersonic cruise missile launched from ships, boasting velocities ranging from Mach 6 to Mach 8. This missile can target both terrestrial and maritime objectives effectively.

With a flight range varying from 135 to 270 nautical miles (250 to 500 kilometers) at a low altitude, and extending up to 400 nautical miles (740 kilometers) when following a semi-ballistic trajectory, the Zircon exhibits an average travel distance of about 400–450 kilometers. Russian reports suggest its maximum range could hit 540 nautical miles (1,000 kilometers), while some online sources speculate it could reach between 1,000 and 2,000 kilometers, depending on the target type.

Equipped with a warhead that weighs between 300 and 400 kilograms, the Zircon missile can be armed with either high explosive (HE) or nuclear payloads of up to 200 kilotons.

On the 23rd of December, 2022, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu disclosed the inaugural deployment of Tsirkon hypersonic missiles within the Russian Navy. He noted that the Admiral Gorshkov frigate, equipped with the sophisticated Tsirkon seaborne hypersonic missile systems, was in the final stages of readiness for deployment into the global seas.

A source within the Russian military highlighted that the Tsirkon's mobile launcher is not only designed for launching Tsirkon missiles but is also compatible with Onyx supersonic missiles, which are part of the Bastion coastal defense system. This versatility allows it to obliterate both maritime and land-based targets.

Defense News February 2024