Russia demonstrated the launch of the Zircon missile, with media highlighting a significant detail.

Recently, the Russian Federation conducted exercises in the Mediterranean Sea, which included launches of various types of missiles. All ships from the operational group of the Russian Navy stationed in Tartus were involved.

This information was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing Defense Express.

According to Defense Express, during these exercises, the Russians showcased the launch of hypersonic "Zircon" missiles for the first time up close, executed from two frigates of project 22350.

However, the released video storyboard may indicate that the footage from the Russian Defense Ministry showing the "Zircon" launch during the Mediterranean exercises could be a "mashup" from previous test launch episodes.

The material for the new video could have been sourced from one of the "Zircon" test launches in 2020 conducted in the White Sea area.

Ru MoD released a somewhat better Zircon launch footage. pic.twitter.com/bxHa6DsFG7

— krakek (@krakek1) December 3, 2024

At the same time, the new video sparked discussions among analysts about the possibility that the "Zircon" missile might be based on the supersonic P-800 "Onyx" cruise missile. However, it is difficult for Defense Express to determine the basis for such thoughts.

Defense Express also pointed out that the type of ships from which the Russians launched "Zircons" near Syria holds particular significance. These were frigates of project 22350. The Russians themselves stated that two ships of this project had to be separately upgraded to serve as "Zircon" carriers.

The Russians did not disclose details about the specific upgrades made, but it is likely that the modifications involved vertical launch systems for the missiles. Each ship of this project is equipped with 16 launch cells.

This all indicates that the number of surface carriers of "Zircons" in the Russian fleet is limited. Additionally, it is unlikely that this hypersonic missile can be deployed on other missile ships of the Russian Navy equipped with vertical launch systems 3S14.

There are also available footage of P-800 "Onyx" missile launches from surface ships, which raises questions since the Russians claimed that these missiles could be launched from 3S14 launch systems installed on missile corvettes of projects 21631 "Buyan-M" and 22800 "Karakurt," as well as on frigates of project 11356. The absence of such recordings complicates comparisons with the "Zircon" missile launches from surface ships.

This suggests that the Russians may have exaggerated their claims, and therefore the P-800 "Onyx" is not adapted for launch from 3S14.

"Zircon" and "Onyx" Missiles in the RF War Against Ukraine

In March of this year, Russian occupiers launched a missile strike on Kyiv. Subsequently, it became known that fragments of the hypersonic anti-ship missile "Zircon" were discovered. In total, the enemy used two such missiles.

According to aviation and missile weapon expert Valeriy Romanenko, Ukrainian defenders currently lack weapons capable of reaching the "Bastion" launch systems. These systems are used by the RF to launch hypersonic missiles Onyx and Zircon.

For more details on Russian missiles such as "Onyx" and "Zircon," read the material by RBK-Ukraine.