Russia launched its first hypersonic Zircon missile strike at Kyiv, according to an initial analysis, the head of a research institute in Kyiv said on Monday.
The Kyiv Scientific-Research Institute for Forensic Examinations director, Oleksandr Ruvin, announced on Telegram that his institute had completed a preliminary analysis of missile fragments from a Feb. 7 Russian attack.
Officials report that the February 7 attack damaged residential structures and energy infrastructure and claimed the lives of at least five people.
During a video allegedly depicting a missile wreckage with distinct markings, “Similiar components of the 3M22 Zircon missile are evident in this instance. Steering mechanism components and fragments bear unique identifiers,” he wrote.
The Russian defense ministry did not respond to a request for comment.
Russia claims that the Zircon has a range of 1,000 kilometers (625 miles) and travels at nine times the speed of sound. According to military analysts, its hypersonic velocity could significantly reduce the response time of air defenses.
Russia previously said Zircon missile testing ended in June 2022. Russia originally designed Zircon as a sea-launched weapon but later adapted it for ground launch.
