Putin has test-fired hypersonic missiles in the eastern Mediterranean as part of drills by the Russian Navy in a fresh threat to the West.
The crews of the frigates fired Zircon (Tsirkon) hypersonic anti-ship missiles, while a Russian submarine launched a Kalibr cruise missile, another weapon capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, the Russian Defence ministry said.
On the coast nearby, a missile system carried out a live launch of an Onyx anti-ship missile, it said.
The military, which did not state where the drills took place, said the number of Russian troops stationed in the eastern Mediterranean had been ‘increased’ to take part in the exercises.
On December 3, during an exercise to test the combined activities of Russian Navy and Air Force troop groups, precision sea-based missiles were launched in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea,’ Russia’s defence ministry said in a post on Telegram.
Russian vessels test fired hypersonic Zirkon missiles and a Kalibr cruise missile, the ministry added. An Onyx cruise missile was also launched ‘from a designated area on the Mediterranean coast’.
Russia has a naval base in Syria at Tartus but the statement did not say where the drills were carried out.
‘In the course of preparing for the exercise, the Russian armed forces’ troops grouping in the eastern Mediterranean was increased,’ the ministry added.
A Russian Navy frigate fires a Zircon (Tsirkon) hypersonic anti-ship missile during drills conducted in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, in this still image from video released on December 3, 2024
Putin (pictured) as previously claimed the missiles have ‘no equivalent in the world’
A Russian Navy frigate fires a Zircon (Tsirkon) hypersonic anti-ship missile during military drills conducted in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea, in this still image from video released on December 3, 2024
More than 1,000 forces, 10 vessels and 24 aircraft were taking part in the drills, it said.
The ministry published images showing the launch of several missiles from ships and land and images of a target in open water being hit and exploding.
The nuclear-capable cutting-edge Zircon missiles can travel at speeds of nearly 7,000mph. Putin as previously claimed the missiles have ‘no equivalent in the world’.
This comes as its ally Syria lost ground to Islamist rebels. Russia has been a key ally of Syria’s President Bashar al-Assad since the Syrian civil war started in 2011 and al-Assad is said to be currently staying in Moscow with his family.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
