The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation used the zircon rocket: what about it is known and whether it was for the first time (video)

The evidence of this is the atypical flight trajectory, as well as the detail indicating the marking - ZM22, which indicates this rocket. At the same time, there is very little data about the rocket and its status in the Russian troops. Focus understood what was known about the CM22 "Zircon" rocket and whether Russia really used it for the first time in Ukraine.

On the morning of February 7, it became known that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation attacked Kiev with the use of missiles of various types. As a result of a hostile attack, four people were killed, and 40 more were injured in varying degrees of severity. One of the missiles, as Zircon "fell in the Dnieper district of Kiev. As a result of the fall near the supports of the transmission line (transmission line) a funnel was formed - the rocket damaged the underground high -voltage line.

The Monitor Telegram Channel, which tracks Russian missiles, drew attention to the unusual rocket trajectory. The observers indicated that despite Russia's statements that this rocket was hypersonic, it did not overcome the sound barrier. The Telegram-channel described the flight as "hybrid" dagger "and" onyx. It is unlikely to be used to attack the transmission line.

Therefore, in their opinion, the Armed Forces of Ukraine could intercept the Russian rocket, as a result of which it fell in the Dnieper district of the capital. The marking is indicated - ZM22, which is inherent in this rocket, because its name is 3M22 "Zircon". However, Defense Express examiners indicate that the fragmentation of the rocket is too strong, which complicates its identification. In addition, information about ZM22 "Zircon" is not enough because It was not publicly demonstrated.

In the Air Force, after a missile attack, it was reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation used 29 winged missiles X-101/X-555/X-55, four winged X-22 missiles, three "calibers", three ballistic missiles "Iskander", as well as P C-300 anti-aircraft managed missiles. However, the Zircon rocket was not mentioned in the command of the command.

Air Force spokesman Yuri Ignat on the air of Kyiv 24 reported that it is known that missiles were flying on a ballistic trajectory, but experts are trying to understand what rockets Ukraine attacked the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. "Everything that has fallen down is investigated. The examination is being done, after which we can say what type of [rockets]. Public information about the 3M22 "Zircon" began to appear in 2016, and the first trials were presented in 2020.

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced the inclusion of Zircon in its arsenal in June 2022. Experts say that the characteristics of the rocket are quite contradictory and depend on the author of the publication and the time of the message. Initially, it was discussed as a rocket up to 400 kilometers, flying at a speed of up to 6 strokes and a 300 kilograms. Later, improved parameters were stated: a range of 1000 kilometers and a speed of up to 9 strokes.

According to experts, "Zircon" as well as the X-47 "dagger" is a solid fuel rocket that accelerates to considerable speed, but in fact is not capable of overcoming the sound barrier. The carriers of this rocket are the Admiral Gorshkov frigate and the Severodvinsk atomic submarine. Both vessels need additional adaptation to use Zircon.

In November 2022, the Russian State Agency of TASS reported the development of an experimental sample of a mobile ground launcher capable of using both Onyx and Zircon missiles. The name of this complex was not mentioned, but it was said that, like the Bastion system, it can be equipped with two missiles. In 2020, information emerged that the Bastion system is planned to be adapted for use with Zircon.

Earlier, in 2016, the NGO engineering announced plans for the installation of a stationary mine version of the anti-ship complex "Bastion" (also known as "Bastion-C" or K-300C) in occupied Crimea by 2020. This complex, also known as "honeycomb" or "object-100", is a ground, or more precisely, underground coast defense system, designed to launch anti-ship missiles 3m44 "Progress". It was put into operation in 1971 and was located near Balaklava.

In 2016, the restoration of its functionality was announced, after which the tests and launches of rockets began. Experts say that, despite the potential, Zircon has a high cost of production, and its use requires further investment, experts emphasize. News about the order of "several dozen" missiles in 2022 testify to the development of this area, but production is still under deployment.

After a massive attack on Zaporozhye on December 30, the National Police said that Russia had used rockets such as "Zircon" and the winged rockets "X-101". However, this information was probably preliminary because it was probably presented before the examination during the elimination of the effects of the attack. The Armed Forces of the Armed Forces did not confirm or refute this information. The final results of the examination were not published.

At the same time, on February 7, Defense Express observers, citing their sources, reported that the wreckage found today corresponded to the fragments of another unidentified rocket, which was used in Ukraine at the beginning of the year and for which it was "Zircon". "Therefore, it is possible that today the enemy has used this rocket for the first time," the observers say.