Russian President Vladimir Putin announced via video link on Wednesday that the frigate Admiral Gorshkov carrying Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles was placed on combat duty. 

In his ceremonial address partaking in the departure of the frigate, Putin said the Zircon missile was a “unique weapon” and that “no other country has anything comparable.” 

“I am sure that such a powerful armament will allow us to steadfastly defend Russia from potential foreign threats. It will help to maintain the national interests of our country,” Putin said.

🇷🇺Путин на церемонии выхода на боевую службу фрегата «Адмирал Горшков», несущего гиперзвуковые ракеты «Циркон»: «Уверен, такое мощное вооружение позволит надежно защитить Россию от потенциальных внешних угроз» pic.twitter.com/AeqyO6m88L

— K&Z🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺 (@Mikhail_Z_R) January 4, 2023

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the frigate will carry out "a voyage in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea."

"A ship fitted with Zircons is capable of carrying out high-precision and powerful strikes on the enemy at sea and on land," Shoigu said. "The unique feature of Zircon hypersonic missiles is their guaranteed ability to bypass any existing or prospective air defense systems."

According to the Defense Minister, the missiles have a range of more than 1,000 kilometers (621 miles).

The Admiral Gorshkov frigate has been part of Russia’s Northern Fleet since 2018.

Military drills of the Zircon initially took off in 2020 and were concluded last year. 

🇷🇺🚢🚀Footage of today's launch of the hypersonic cruise missile "Zircon" from the frigate "Admiral Gorshkov".

A missile fired from the Barents Sea successfully hit a target in the White Sea, located at a distance of almost 1000 km. pic.twitter.com/tjOldW6Pfv

— AZ 🛰🌏🌍🌎 (@AZgeopolitics) January 4, 2023

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