Warship ‘Admiral Gorshkov' Becomes First Ship Carrying 'Zircon' Hypersonic Missiles

These images show the warship ‘Admiral Gorshkov,’ the first warship carrying Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles, sailing off to routine combat service.

Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu said the navy frigate will conduct "a voyage in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea".

Shoigu said that the Zircon hypersonic missiles have a range of more than 1,000 kilometres (620 miles).

Russian President Putin reportedly oversaw the ceremony over video and stated: "I am sure that such a powerful armament will allow us to steadfastly defend Russia from potential foreign threats. It will help to maintain the national interests of our country."

Trials of the Zircon aboard the Russian warship first began back in 2020 and were finalised last year.

The footage was obtained by Newsflash from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 4th January, along with a short statement: " [This] footage [shows] the exit of the frigate 'Admiral of the Fleet of the Soviet Union Gorshkov' from the base."

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a "special military operation". Today marks the 316th day of the invasion.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 5th January, Russia had lost about 109,720 personnel, 3,041 tanks, 6,108 armoured combat vehicles, 2,051 artillery units, 426 multiple launch rocket systems, 215 air defence systems, 284 warplanes, 271 helicopters, 1,844 drones, 723 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,759 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 182 units of special equipment.

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

The head of the Ukrainian military intelligence, Kyrylo Budanov, said further attacks deeper into Russian territory should be expected but did not specify whether Ukraine would be responsible for them.

Budanov said he would only be able to comment if his country would be behind the strikes after the war was over.

A United States administration official said fierce fighting is likely to continue in the near future, especially around the largely ruined front-line city of Bakhmut.

"The fighting is still quite hot … I think what we’re seeing in Bakhmut we should expect to see elsewhere along the front that there will be continued fighting in the coming months," the official added.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces around Bakhmut were inflicting numerous losses on the Russians and said Moscow was building up its forces in the region.

The Ukrainian foreign minister says that Patriot air defence systems provided by the US are soon to be deployed in Ukraine.

US President Joe Biden said that Washington is also considering sending Bradley Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine.

The Bradley Fighting Vehicle (BFV) is a tracked armoured fighting vehicle platform that provides cross-country mobility, mounted firepower, communications, and protection.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has sent a warship armed with new hypersonic Zircon cruise missiles towards the Atlantic and Indian oceans. Putin said the missiles were unique worldwide.

Russia says that mass production of new combat electronics and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems is set to begin in the next couple of months.

France’s government reportedly said it would send Ukraine light AMX-10 RC armoured combat vehicles to help in the war against Russia.