[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Daehyun] The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that it successfully test-fired the hypersonic cruise missile 'Tsirkon,' striking a target approximately 1000 km away, according to major foreign media reports on the 28th (local time).
According to foreign media, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the Tsirkon missile was launched from the Barents Sea outside the Arctic Ocean and hit a target located in the White Sea in northwestern Russia. The released video included scenes of the missile launched from a warship soaring steeply into the sky.
The Tsirkon is a hypersonic cruise missile capable of flying at speeds up to Mach 9 (about 11,000 km/h) and striking both land and sea targets. It is known to be almost impossible to defend against with existing missile defense systems.
Russia conducted tests last year firing the Tsirkon missile from both warships and submarines. It is understood that Russia has conducted more than ten test launches of the Tsirkon missile since beginning tests in 2016.
Recently, after invading Ukraine and facing fierce resistance, Russia has appeared to showcase its strength by conducting a series of new weapon tests that have attracted international attention.
Last month, Russia also test-fired the next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) 'Sarmat,' which is scheduled for deployment this year. The Sarmat is reported to have a maximum range of 18,000 km and can carry up to 15 multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs) with a megaton-class (equivalent to 1 million tons of TNT) explosive yield.
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