RUSSIA has 'successfully' tested Vladimir Putin's lethalhypersonic  6,100mph missile capable of 'evading all Western defences to wipe out cities.'

It comes just a few days after Russia began its final tests of the deadly Zircon – or Tsirkon in the White Sea.

Footage shows the weapon being unleashed at a speed of Mach 7 at a land target from the frigate Admiral Gorshkov.

The target more than 220 miles away was hit in the Zircon's first state trial and the missile's "tactical and technical characteristics were confirmed”, reported state-owned RIA Novosti and Defence Ministry TV channel Zvezda.

No further details were immediately given of the White Sea trial. 

The Zircon – or Tsirkon which can hit speeds of more than 6,100 mph has been identified by Moscow’s state-controlled TV as Vladimir Putin’s weapon of choice to wipe out coastal American cities in the event of an atomic conflict. 

The Kremlin leader has called the Mach 8 capable Zircon  “truly unparalleled in the world”, and the Russians have boasted it is “unstoppable” by Western defences.

The launch came the day after TASS news agency had suggested a delay in state trials of the missile until August, although they had been scheduled for July. 

SECRET WEAPON

Tests of the Zircon from submarines and land are due soon.

The missile is on track to go into service next year, deployed first from the stealth-technology  Admiral Golovko frigate. 

A key use of the missile is taking out enemy ships and reports suggested its maximum range is between 188 and  620 miles. 

But there have been unconfirmed reports its true range is some 1,200 miles. 

The missile system’s design and development have been conducted in deep secrecy. 

Putin has warned that foreign spies have tried to steal its secrets. 

It is one of a number of hypersonic missiles Russia is deploying including the 188-tonne Sarmat – known in the West as Satan-2  and the biggest beast in Russia’s nuclear arsenal, due for tests in the autumn, and to go into service next year.

The first Zircon test launch of the missile from the Gorshkov was staged in early October – and seen as a 68th birthday present for Putin.

More test launches followed in November and December. 

The weapon was fired four times from the Admiral Gorshkov frigate in the Arctic back in March and military sources said all had "hit the ‘bullseye’".

Source: Read Full Article