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Ukrainian intelligence disputes capabilities of Russian Zirkon missile
Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) has released detailed findings regarding the Russian 3M22 Zirkon missile, challenging long-standing claims from the Kremlin. According to the intelligence service, the Zirkon is not a hypersonic cruise missile as previously presented by Russia, but is instead a two-stage ballistic missile using conventional solid-fuel propulsion.
Technical analysis of recovered debris suggests the missile's performance differs significantly from official Russian assertions. While President Vladimir Putin has claimed the weapon reaches speeds of Mach 9, HUR reports a maximum speed of Mach 6.8, which the missile cannot maintain throughout its entire flight. The system carries a 120-kilogram warhead and has a maximum range of 1,000 kilometers.
Furthermore, the investigation identified the involvement of approximately 70 Russian companies in the production chain, including NPO Mashinostroyeniya. The intelligence report also highlighted the presence of Western technology within the missile's components, specifically identifying semiconductors and electronics from U.S. companies such as Intel and Altera. HUR released this information to assist Western nations in monitoring and restricting the flow of dual-use technology to the Russian military-industrial complex.
Entities
3M22 Zircon · Altera · Intel · Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine · NPO Mashinostroyeniya · Russia · TriQuint Semiconductor · Ukrainian Military Intelligence · Zirkon
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Approximately 70 Russian companies are involved in the production of the Zirkon missile. ordu.az · zpravy.aktualne.cz
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The missile has a maximum flight range of 1,000 kilometers. ordu.az
- [● 2 SOURCES] The missile carries a warhead weighing approximately 120 kilograms. ordu.az · winfuture.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] The missile reaches a maximum speed of Mach 6.8, contradicting claims of Mach 9. www.t-online.de · winfuture.de
- [● 2 SOURCES] Debris from the missile contains Western technology, including components from US companies like Intel and Altera. winfuture.de · zpravy.aktualne.cz
- [● 4 SOURCES] The 3M22 Zirkon is a two-stage ballistic missile, not a hypersonic cruise missile. ordu.az · www.t-online.de · winfuture.de · zpravy.aktualne.cz