Russia test new hypersonic missiles in the Mediterranean (Image: Russian Ministry of Defense/TASS)
Russia has fired hypersonic missiles in the eastern Mediterranean as part of drills being carried out by the Russian Navy.
Frigates launched Zircon (Tsirkon) hypersonic anti-ship missiles, while a submarine fired a Kalibr cruise missile, the Russian Defence ministry said in a post on Telegram.
Both weapons are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, according to experts.
Zircon rockets can reach speeds of nearly 7,000mph, according to Russian officials, and Kremlin leader as previously claimed that the cutting-edge weapons have “no equivalent in the world”.
A missile system at the coast nearby also conducted a live launch of ‘s Onyx anti-ship missile, the ministry added.
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Putin claims Russia’s Zircon missiles have ‘no equivalent in the world’ (Image: Getty)
The number of Russian troops stationed in the eastern Mediterranean had also been “increased” to take part in the drill, the statement said.
The defense ministry said the exercise on Tuesday was to “test the combined activities of Russian Navy and Air Force troop groups”, and saw “precision sea-based missiles were launched in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea”.
There is a Russian base in Syria at Tartus but the statement didn’t specify where the exercise had taken place.
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