Ukraine: "Russia launches hypersonic missile attack... found in civilian area"

On the 13th (local time), claims emerged that Russia recently used the hypersonic 'Tsirkon' missile for the first time in an airstrike on Ukraine.

On the same day, Oleksandr Rubin, head of the Kyiv Forensic Science Institute in Ukraine, stated on his Telegram that the missile used by Russian forces in the attack on Ukraine on the 7th is presumed to be the 3M22 Tsirkon missile.

Apartment in Kyiv, Ukraine burning due to Russian missile attack
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Rubin said, "The fact that the 3M22 Tsirkon missile was used can be proven by the appearance of parts and fragments, as well as the characteristics of this type of weapon," and posted a video analyzing the collected shelling debris. Features believed to be parts used exclusively in Tsirkon missiles were detected in the remains of the jet engine and steering device. In particular, the marking '3Л22,' indicating the Tsirkon missile, was seen on several parts.

According to Rubin, the missile fell in a civilian area without military facilities.

Russia claims that the Tsirkon missile has a range of 1,000 km and can reach speeds of Mach 9, nine times the speed of sound. If the claim that Russia used the Tsirkon missile in Ukraine is confirmed, Ukraine, which is already struggling with Russian missile defense, will face even more difficult circumstances.

However, experts caution against overestimating the possibility of the Tsirkon missile's deployment in actual combat. They point out that Russia prioritizes rebuilding ground forces, making large-scale production and deployment difficult.