Researchers Call Russia For The First Time Using Zirkon Hypersonic Missiles On Ukraine's Battlefield

The impact of Russia's latest attack on Ukraine. (Twitter/@ZelenskyyUa)

JAKARTA - The head of the Kyiv research institute on Monday said an initial analysis concluded Russia attacked Kyiv last week with Zircon's hypersonic missile, the first use on a battlefield that has been going on for two years, presents new challenges for Ukraine's air defenses.

Director of the Kyiv Institute of Scientific Research for Forensic Examination Oleksandr Ruvin said via the Telegram channel his agency had completed an initial analysis of the missile fragments from the Russian attack on February 7.

He included a video of alleged missile debris showing certain signs.

"In this case, we see elements that characterize the 3M22 Zircon missile. The engine parts and fragments and steering mechanisms have certain signs," he wrote.

The February 7 attack killed at least five people and damaged residential buildings and energy infrastructure, officials said.

Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense did not immediately return a request for comment.

The Zirkon hypersonic missile has a range of 1,000 km (625 miles) and travels at a speed of nine times the speed of sound, according to Russia.

Military analysts say its hypersonic speed could reduce air defense reaction time and its ability to strike large, deep and hard targets.

Russia previously said it had completed a Zirkon missile test in June 2022. Russian President Vladimir Putin described Zirkon as part of an unmatched new generation of weapons systems.

If its use in Ukraine is confirmed, the weapon could pose additional challenges to the country's air defenses, amid uncertainty over future Western military aid.

Russia carried out routine airstrikes against Ukraine using a series of different long-range missiles and drones.

The Zirkon hypersonic missile was originally designed as a weapon launched at sea and a version launched on land developed later.

Meanwhile, Ruvin's statement did not say whether the weapon was fired from the ground or from the sea. However, he said signs found from the rubble indicated that the weapons had been assembled recently.