Ukraine uses Patriot or SAMP/T systems to down Russia's new "Zircon" rockets – air force
Ukrainian Air Force has the necessary means to down Russian Zircon hypersonic anti-ship missiles.
According to Air Force spokesperson Ilia Yevlash, the speed of hypersonic weapons exceeds five Mach, with one Mach equaling about 1,200 kilometers per hour, Rubryka reports.
"This is very, very fast weaponry. When we talk about 'Zircons,' it's around 8–9 Mach. Incredibly fast. However, when these missiles enter the attack trajectory, their speed decreases. They become subsonic, about 4.5 Mach," said the Air Force spokesman on the national telethon.
Yevlash added that when the "Zircon" develops a speed of about 4.5 Mach, Ukraine uses anti-ballistic missile defense systems to shoot it down. This includes systems like SAMP/T or Patriot.
3M22 Zircon is a hypersonic anti-ship cruise missile adopted by Russia in January 2023. Russians claimed the following characteristics:
- Range: 600-1500 km
- Speed: up to 8-9 Mach
- Warhead mass: about 300-400 kg
- Length: 8-10 m
What we know about Russian "Zircon" attacks on Ukraine
Russian occupation forces launched cruise missiles of various types and strike drones across Ukraine on February 7. The attacks were recorded in the major cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mykolaiv, with about 20 missiles being downed near and over the Ukrainian capital.
Later, authorities reported that Russians probably used the "Zircon" missiles. Subsequently, experts from the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise (KSRIFE) announced that Russia had used "Zircon" against Ukraine for the first time.
The Russian forces used the weapon again on March 25 when they struck Kyiv with two of its newest missiles, the ZM22 "Zircon."
After the attack, specialists collected a significant amount of information and evidence, allowing them to assess the real capabilities of "Zircon" and the level of technology that Russia currently has for creating such missiles.
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