Russia Tests Bastion Coastal Defense With Onyx Anti-Ship Missiles During Zapad 2025 Drills In The Arctic.

On September 13, 2025, Bastion coastal defense systems of the Russian Northern Fleet fired P-800 Onyx supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles from Franz Josef Land at simulated naval targets more than 200 kilometers away, as reported by the Russian News Agency TASS. The live-fire exercise formed part of the Russian-Belarusian Zapad-2025 joint strategic maneuvers, underscoring Moscow’s continued emphasis on Arctic defense. This demonstration highlighted Russia’s ability to establish anti-access and area-denial zones across the High North, a region of growing geostrategic competition. The event is significant as it reflects how Moscow seeks to signal its readiness to secure its northern maritime approaches against potential NATO forces.
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Russia’s use of the Bastion-Onyx system during Zapad-2025 illustrates how Moscow is leveraging advanced coastal defense technologies to reinforce its northern perimeter while simultaneously signaling deterrence to NATO (Picture source: TASS)

The Bastion system, officially designated K-300P, is a mobile coastal defense platform mounted on an MZKT-7930 8×8 chassis, giving it cross-country mobility in harsh environments. Each launcher carries two P-800 Oniks supersonic anti-ship cruise missiles housed in sealed transport and launch containers. The missile uses a solid-fuel booster for initial launch, transitioning to a liquid-fuel ramjet engine for sustained supersonic flight at speeds of up to Mach 2.5. Designed for low-altitude sea-skimming flight and capable of high-altitude profiles for extended range, the Oniks integrates inertial navigation with satellite updates and active radar homing in the terminal phase, enabling precise engagement of targets even under electronic countermeasures. Depending on the flight path, the missile’s operational range is generally cited between 300 and 600 kilometers, while export versions such as the Yakhont are restricted to around 300 kilometers. Armed with a 200–250 kilogram high-explosive or semi-armor-piercing warhead, the Oniks is capable of neutralizing large surface combatants, while its speed, erratic terminal maneuvers, and low radar cross-section are designed to complicate interception by modern air and missile defense systems. The Bastion system also integrates with over-the-horizon radars and coastal surveillance networks, creating a layered reconnaissance-strike complex optimized for defending extended maritime approaches.

The development of the Bastion and Onyx family traces back to the late Soviet period, with continuous modernization efforts carried out by NPO Mashinostroyeniya. Initially intended to replace older missile systems such as the P-35 and P-500, the Oniks was introduced to service in the early 2000s and has since been exported in modified forms, notably as the Yakhont variant. The Bastion system has been deployed by the Russian military in several strategic regions, including Crimea, Kaliningrad, and the Kuril Islands, before being extended to Arctic territories. Its operational use has also been documented during Russia’s involvement in Syria, where Oniks missiles were launched against ground targets, illustrating their versatility beyond traditional anti-ship roles.

Compared with similar systems such as the American Harpoon or the Chinese YJ-12, the Oniks missile stands out for its supersonic speed, ramjet propulsion, and penetration capabilities against layered naval defenses. While Western navies emphasize integrated missile shields, including Aegis-equipped destroyers and interceptors like SM-6 or ESSM Block 2, the Oniks challenges these systems with its high speed, low-altitude approach, and terminal evasive maneuvers. In the Arctic context, where radar coverage and interception windows are already limited by weather and geography, the Bastion-Oniks pairing gives Russia a distinct defensive advantage. This capability positions it not only as a deterrent against maritime incursions but also as a tool of power projection across contested waters.

The strategic implications of deploying Bastion systems with Onyx missiles in Franz Josef Land are far-reaching. Beyond strengthening Russia’s control over Arctic sea lanes and its northern coastline, the exercise sends a political signal to NATO regarding Moscow’s readiness to defend its interests in the High North. With climate change accelerating the opening of Arctic shipping routes, competition over access to resources and freedom of navigation is intensifying. By integrating Bastion systems into its Arctic defense posture, Russia enhances its ability to restrict adversary movements, complicate NATO’s operational planning, and consolidate its role as the dominant regional military actor. The Zapad-2025 exercise demonstrates not only technical proficiency but also a deliberate geopolitical message, aligning Russia’s military maneuvers with its long-term Arctic strategy.

Russia’s use of the Bastion-Onyx system during Zapad-2025 illustrates how Moscow is leveraging advanced coastal defense technologies to reinforce its northern perimeter while simultaneously signaling deterrence to NATO. The combination of speed, mobility, and destructive power provides the Russian Armed Forces with a credible means to enforce anti-access zones in one of the world’s most strategically contested environments. The Arctic remains central to Moscow’s military planning, and the latest missile test underscores how future security dynamics in the region will increasingly hinge on such high-end strike capabilities.

Written by Teoman S. Nicanci – Defense Analyst, Army Recognition Group

Teoman S. Nicanci holds degrees in Political Science, Comparative and International Politics, and International Relations and Diplomacy from leading Belgian universities, with research focused on Russian strategic behavior, defense technology, and modern warfare. He is a defense analyst at Army Recognition, specializing in the global defense industry, military armament, and emerging defense technologies.