Archive · 14 Sep 2025
Russia Tests Zircon Missile, Conducts Military Drills
Russia and Belarus are having a military exercise to practice working together in case of an attack.
They tested a very fast missile called the Zircon.
The missile was launched from a ship in the Barents Sea and hit a target.
The exercise, named Zapad, involves practicing how the countries would help each other if they were in trouble.
Russia says the drills are for practice only.
NATO announced an operation after Russian drones entered Poland.
Russia fired a Zircon hypersonic cruise missile during exercises in the Barents Sea.
Sukoi Su-34 fighter-bombers carried out strikes as part of the drills.
The exercises are part of the joint 'Zapad' drills with Belarus.
The drills started on September 12.
The exercises aim to improve military command and coordination.
- Who
- Russia and Belarus
- What
- Fired a Zircon hypersonic missile and conducted bombing strikes during joint military exercises.
- When
- Reported on Sunday, drills began Sept. 12
- Where
- Barents Sea
- Why
- To improve military command and coordination.
Russia/Belarus
NATO
Exercise Purpose
Russia/Belarus
The exercises are exclusively defensive and aim to improve military command and coordination.
NATO
U.S.-led military alliance announced an 'Eastern Sentry' operation following the incursion of Russian drones into Poland.
- Missile
- Zircon (Tsirkon) hypersonic cruise missile
- Aircraft
- Sukoi Su-34 fighter-bombers
- Location
- Barents Sea
- Military Exercise
- Zapad
- Participants
- Russia, Belarus
- Missile Speed
- Nine times the speed of sound
- Missile Range
- Up to 1,000 km (600 miles)
Sources
Russian aircraft equipped with ballistic missiles fly over Barents Sea during ‘Zapad 2025’ drills, Ifax reports
Russia flexes military muscle with hypersonic missiles and bombers during drills
Russia showcases hypersonic missiles, strategic bombers in major military drill - Telegraph India