In the midst of the war against Ukraine: Putin puts new "powerful weapon" into service
Moscow/Murmansk - Against the backdrop of ongoing problems in his war of aggression against Ukraine , Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin (70) has put the new "Zirkon" hypersonic missile into service.

"I am sure that such a powerful weapon will allow us to reliably protect Russia from external threats and safeguard our country's national interests," Putin said on Wednesday in a televised video broadcast from the Kremlin on the commissioning of the "Zircon" missiles on the frigate "Admiral Gorshkov".
The "Admiral Gorshkov" is part of Russia's Northern Fleet and is to be sent on a long voyage in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans to demonstrate Russia's naval power. The warship, which entered service in 2018, is the first frigate to be equipped with the new missiles.
The Zirkon has a range of more than 500 kilometers and is primarily used for anti-ship warfare.
Due to its extremely high speed - according to Russian data, it can accelerate up to 8,000 to 9,000 kilometers per hour - it is practically unstoppable by air defense.

A diversionary maneuver from the weaknesses of the Russian army?
The public ceremony apparently also serves to distract attention from the weaknesses of the Russian army in the Ukraine war. After more than ten months since the outbreak of hostilities, which was actually intended to be a limited operation, Putin is no longer perceived by an increasing number of Russians as the strong warlord he wants to present himself as. The image of Russia's military and arms industry has also suffered.
During the broadcast, Putin promised to continue arming the Russian armed forces with state-of-the-art weapons.