Russia has displayed its 7,000mph Zircon hypersonic nuke missile, which could destroy London in five minutes.
The deadly weapon, which can carry either a conventional or nuclear warhead, was previously dubbed “unstoppable” by the Kremlin.
And now, terrifying footage shows a Mach 9 Zircon – or Tsirkon – missile being fired, demonstrating how Russian President Vladimir Putin could launch a hypersonic nuclear strike on the West.
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The video of the missile being launched from the Admiral Gorshkov frigate in the White Sea was made public amid veiled threats by Putin and his top officials to go nuclear if any country intervenes in his invasion of Ukraine.
Russia has repeatedly warned the West that if it is challenged, it will face “unforeseen consequences.”
Putin warned of “consequences that you have never faced in your history” in the early hours of February 24, clearly referring to his willingness to use a nuclear strike.
Fears that the devastating conflict could turn nuclear grew as Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered his nuclear forces to be on high alert.
Lord West, the former commander of the Royal Navy, warned that one “miscalculation” could spark a war in Europe, which could escalate into a world war involving nuclear weapons.
General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, an ex-NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander of Europe, warned that Putin’s invasion of Ukraine could spark a nuclear war if Russian troops enter NATO territory.
Despite Zelensky’s pleas, the West has not imposed a no-fly zone for fear of sparking a war.
In his ongoing devastation of Ukraine, Putin hit a military facility near the Polish border over the weekend, bringing the war to NATO’s doorstep.
A Ukrainian soldier described how he escaped death by fleeing to the woods just moments before Putin’s forces bombed the barracks.
“Four missiles hit our barracks,” he said. We were able to escape because we were not the first to be hit.
“When we heard the other missiles, we evacuated.” Almost everyone in our building got out, but not everyone, and the missiles fell on where we’d been staying. “At least ten people I know are missing.”
The Zircon is being rushed into service this year following successful tests, according to Putin.
According to Russian experts, the missile has “no analogues” in the West.
The Russian defence ministry’s TV Zvezda channel said of the footage, “The Russian Zircon hypersonic missile’s stealth features have been revealed…
“The Zircon hypersonic missile’s speed is so fast that the opponent’s air defence system cannot detect its impact in time.”
“In fact, its launch will be known only after the target has been hit.”
The missile also has “variable trajectory” to avoid detection, viewers were told.
“No one will see the missile launch or its flight. They will only see when the missile hits the target,” said the frigate’s commander, first rank captain Igor Krokhmal.
“A surface target, a coastal target. I don’t think there will be anything to counter this in the next few years.”
Putin said in December: “Zircon are our newest missiles fired from the sea at sea targets, and land targets.
“The tests were carried out successfully, flawlessly.
“This is a big event for our country, a significant step in improving Russia’s security, in increasing (our) defence capability.”
It is now in “serial production”, and he has previously called the weapon “truly unparalleled … in the world”.
While the footage was only recently released, it is believed to date from December and was possibly held back for later release in order to send chills through the West.
Putin boasted about a salvo launch at the time, but no footage was released.
The most recent launch was timed to coincide with a Kalibr missile launch from the same warship.
The Zircon has been hailed by Moscow’s state-controlled television as Putin’s preferred weapon for annihilating American cities in the event of an atomic war.
Its range, however, has been estimated to be around 650 miles, though Krohmal has stated that it can strike targets at a distance of 930 miles.
It will be launched from Russian frigates at first, and then from submarines.
Warning to the West
Russia has outpaced the West in hypersonic weapons, according to Kremlin deputy premier Yury Borisov, and plans to keep the lead.
“We have made significant progress, particularly in the field of hypersonic weapons and (those) based on new physical principles,” he said.
“We now have significant advantages over the leading Western countries in this regard – and will work hard to maintain this position.”
“A few words to those who might be tempted to intervene in the unfolding events from the outside,” Putin said at the start of the war.
“Anyone who tries to obstruct us and…create a threat to our country and people must understand that the response will be immediate and will result in consequences you have never faced before.”
“We’re prepared for any scenario.” All necessary decisions have been made in this regard. “I hope you hear what I’m saying.”
It comes after Russia conducted nuclear drills with submarines and land-based missiles earlier this month.
The Northern Fleet of Russia said in a statement that several of its nuclear submarines were participating in exercises to “train manoeuvring in stormy conditions.”
The UK Ministry of Defence stated last week that Russia used thermobaric weapons in its invasion of Ukraine.
The lethal weapons are capable of exploding people’s lungs by producing a high-temperature explosion using the oxygen in the surrounding air.
Aside from hypersonic missiles, Russia’s extensive military technology includes a “Star Warrior” weapon capable of destroying satellites in orbit, as well as a laser cannon.
(Bolnews)
