A report from the Ukrainian government claimed that Russia sent a new hypersonic missile during last week’s attack. A hypersonic missile is a missile that travels at speeds of Mach-5 or higher, meaning at least five times the speed of sound. Ukraine claims a Zircon missile hit the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, on February 7. After the attack, the Ukrainian government retrieved debris from the site.
Ukraine also reported four people dead and 38 injured during the attack. However, Ukraine has not explicitly stated if the dead and injured were directly caused by the hypersonic missile.
It was later confirmed by Colonel Yuriy Ihnat from the Ukrainian Air Force that there was indeed a zircon hypersonic missile.
The Zircon
Following this, the Ukrainian state-backed Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise studied the materials. The research institute determined it was a zircon due to distinct markings on fragments, through the identification of certain parts, and the features of the weapon. Yet, the Research Institute also stated that the micro-electronics weren’t very well preserved after the impact.
The director of the Research Institute, Oleksandr Ruvin, however, doesn’t believe that with what they were able to study, the missile is not tactically or technically capable of doing all that Russia had said it could.
Ruvin reported that the missile was aimed at a civilian area, not military infrastructures. This will mark the first time this type of hypersonic missile was used in battle.
After the attack, Ukraine asked the United States for more Patriot air defense systems. The Patriot system is considered one of the best air defense systems in the West. Also, it has proven to be capable of defending Ukraine against Russian missiles.
This has been proven by how Ukraine has said multiple times they have been able to shoot down Russian Kinzhal missiles. Russia also considers these missiles to be hypersonic.
The February 7 Attack
The initial airstrike attack had taken place at night according to the Ukrainian Air Force. Also, it stated there were multiple types of missiles and strike drones used during it.
A report stated that the Russian bombardment used Tupolev Tu-95 bombers to launch 29 Kh 101, 555, and 55 cruise missiles. Also, Russia fired three Kalibr missiles from ships in the Black Sea. Further three Iskander M ballistic missiles, five S-300 guided anti-aircraft missiles, and lastly, four Kh 22 cruise missiles.
The Ukrainian Air Force was able to intercept 26 out of the Kh 101, 555, and 55 cruise missiles, and all three Kalibr missiles. They defended from about 2/3 of the full air strike.
The Report didn’t initially talk about the use of hypersonic missiles, specifically the Zircon, until after the Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise had investigated the debris.
Zircon’s Purpose
The Russian government’s missile had a reputation that proceeded it. It seemed to be a formidable weapon for Ukraine to fight against with the amount of praise the Russian government had given through its developmental process.
Russia originally created the Zircon to be an anti-ship missile. According to defense and analysts of the European RAND branch, Mattais Elken. He also goes on to say, Russia has run tests on it with warships and submarines.
Some sources claim the projectile can move as fast as Mach 9. If this is the case then it would be incredibly difficult to track the missile to defend from it.
The missile also is supposedly covered in a plasma cloud when in flight. The purpose of the plasma cloud is that it will absorb radio and keep it essentially hidden from radar detection. Lastly, it has a projected range of 500 to 1,000 kilometers.
Proposed Threats
Even though Russia is proud of the Zircon and seems antsy to use it, some sources say this isn’t enough to solidify the claims of the hypersonic missile’s effectiveness. Russia has been known to exaggerate in the past about its weapons and war readiness so some feel skeptical.
Analyst Mattais Elken stated that the rush to use the Zircon can mean that any developmental issues still might persist. Some experts even believe that Russia might be field-testing the missile during the active conflict.
However, Ukraine has already stated that there is a struggle to keep up with Russia’s onslaught of air strikes.
Written by AriAnna Rathers
Sources:
CNN– Russia used an advanced hypersonic missile for the first time in recent strike, Ukraine claims
CNN– Ukraine air defenses under pressure as two Russian missile types again evade interception
Newsweek– How Russia’s Zircon Hypersonic Missiles Will Impact Ukraine War
Featured Image by UNDP Ukraine’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
First Inset Image by Kelly Michal’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
Second Inset Image by Alan Wilson’s Page – Creative Commons License
