Russian warship armed with hypersonic missiles trains in English Channel, state media reports

A Russian navy warship equipped with Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles, has recently conducted counter-terrorism drills in the English channel and is now carrying out missions in the Atlantic Ocean., according to Russian news agencies.

The Northern Fleet ship, Admiral Golovko, engaged in exercises simulating drone attacks from air and sea as part of its training. 

The vessel is capable of reaching speeds several times the speed of sound and a range of up to 900 km, poses a significant challenge to defence systems. 

This deployment marks the Admiral Golovko’s first long-distance mission since joining the Russian Navy in December 2023. The ship departed from its northern base on 2 November. 

Prior to the ship entering service, former Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced that the warship would be equipped with Zircon missiles.

The Zircon, alongside the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, forms the core of Russia’s hypersonic strategy, which aims to counter increasingly evolving US missile defences. 

In 2023, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the mass production of Zircon missiles as part of efforts to improve Russia’s strategic nuclear capabilities.