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Ukraine's military intelligence agency reveals technical specifications and production details of Russia's 3M22 Zircon missile

Ukraine's Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR) released a technical breakdown of Russia's 3M22 Zircon missile, challenging several of Moscow's official claims. The HUR identified the Zircon as a ballistic missile rather than a hypersonic cruise missile, noting that it follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory and uses a two-stage solid-fuel propulsion system. While Russia has claimed the Zircon can reach speeds of Mach 9, the HUR reported that the highest recorded speed is approximately Mach 6.8, which is not sustained throughout the flight. The agency also noted that the Zircon carries a relatively small warhead of about 120 kilograms, which is lighter than the 150-kilogram warhead of the smaller Banderol cruise missile. The HUR disclosed that the Zircon was originally designed as an anti-ship weapon for Russian nuclear-powered submarines and frigates, but was adapted for land-based coastal missile systems due to difficulties operating the fleet in the Black Sea. The agency also identified 70 companies and dozens of individuals involved in the production of the missile, including foreign technological equipment from U.S. firms.

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