Russian President Vladimir Putin personally oversees Russia’s latest test of a hypersonic missile during the Black Sea drills
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday oversaw military exercises near Crimea that included the launch of ‘Kinzhal’ hypersonic missile. Russia deployed its first hypersonic nuclear-capable missiles at the end of 2019.
The hypersonic missiles, shot from MiG-31 fighter jets, hit targets at a testing site, the Kremlin reported.
Putin observed the joint exercises from aboard the Marshal Ustinov missile cruiser in the Black Sea.
The Black Sear drills by Russia’s Black Sea and Northern fleets involved multiple missile launches including the hypersonic air-launched ballistic missile and Kalibr cruise missiles.
Over 30 ships, 1 submarine and over 40 aircraft, including several Tu-95 strategic bombers, took part in the exercise. “The drills have been held successfully,” Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Admiral Nikolai Yevmenov informed Putin.
“The navy always has been a key component of national defense,” Russian President was quoted as saying by AP. “We will maintain and strengthen our nation’s status as a key naval power.”
The missile launch tests took place amidst heightened tensions between the United States and Iran after the U.S. killed a top Iranian general in Iraq.
This week, U.S. President Donald Trump announced in his speech that the U.S. is building hypersonic missiles. “Our missiles are big, powerful, accurate, lethal and fast. Under construction are many hypersonic missiles,” Trump said.
A hypersonic missile travels at the speed of Mach 5 (five times the speed of sound) and higher or 3836 mph). The Russian hypersonic missile, Kinzhal, has a range of more than 2,000 kilometers (1,250 miles) and is capable of delivering nuclear and conventional warheads. It entered service with the Russian air force last year.
