As the Syrian military struggles to hold key positions in Aleppo, with intense clashes leading to a retreat in Hama, Russian forces have once again turned to showcase their advanced weapons.
In an apparent bid to demonstrate power, the Russian fleet based in Tartus, Syria conducted live-fire drills involving its 3M22 ‘Zircon’ hypersonic missiles in the Eastern Mediterranean, according to Russia’s Ministry of Defense.
The drills, involving the Admiral Gorshkov and Admiral Golovko frigates, as well as the Bastion coastal defense missile system, targeted a surface vessel using multiple Zircon missiles. Videos released by the Ministry of Defense show the missile strikes, which were described by Russian state media as successful.
“Apparently, no more pressing targets were available in the current situation. Good to have things running smoothly,” commented the military blog Voenniy Obozrevatel, with a note of irony.
The display comes at a precarious time for Russia in Syria. The Syrian army, backed by Russia, has been facing significant losses, particularly in Aleppo, and the clashes in Hama have raised concerns over the safety of Russia’s strategic Khmeimim Air Base. With rebel forces pushing ever closer to Russia’s Mediterranean presence, the missile exercise appears to be aimed at projecting confidence in a difficult situation.
One notable feature of the latest drills was the clear footage of the Zircon missile, a hypersonic anti-ship weapon, which had previously been seen only in fleeting glimpses. Comparisons between Zircon and the U.S.-developed X-51 Waverider have surfaced, with analysts pointing out that despite Russia’s public statements, the two systems differ in design and capabilities.
It is also worth noting that similar Zircon missiles have previously been launched at Kyiv, though none reportedly reached their targets. Sources suggest that the Patriot air defense systems, which provide coverage for the Ukrainian capital, have successfully intercepted these so-called ‘super missiles.’ This raises questions about the true capabilities of the much-hyped Zircon amid ongoing Russian efforts to impress both domestic and international audiences.