ZAPAD 2025: the Russian Navy frigate Admiral Golovko conducted a test launch of a Zircon hypersonic missile in the Barents Sea

Por

15 September, 2025

The Russian Northern Fleet conducted a live-fire test of the Zircon hypersonic missile during the joint Russian-Belarusian strategic exercise Zapad-2025. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the operation was carried out by the frigate Admiral Golovko against a target in the Barents Sea.

“According to real-time target control data, the target was destroyed by a direct hit,” the ministry stated in a release. The launch area had been previously closed to civilian maritime and air traffic.

According to Russian military sources, target designation was provided by a Northern Fleet Tu-142 long-range anti-submarine aircraft. As part of the exercise, operations included coastal facility protection, coordination of heterogeneous force groups, and the use of precision weapons in the Arctic zone.

Zapad-2025 is taking place from September 12 to 16 across training areas in Russia and Belarus, as well as in the Baltic and Barents Seas. Moscow stated that the maneuvers are divided into two phases: the first focused on defense and coordination, and the second on territory recovery and enemy force defeat.

The Belarusian Ministry of Defense noted that the activities are defensive in nature and limited to its eastern regions. In January, Minsk estimated 13,000 participating personnel, later reducing the number by half. Russia stated that observers from blocs led by Moscow and Beijing were invited.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the maneuvers “were planned in advance and are not directed against any third country.” He added: “This is a military cooperation and coordination exercise between two strategic allies. We will continue along this course, which is no secret to anyone.”

The Zircon missile, developed by the Tactical Missiles Corporation (KTRV), reportedly has a range of over 1,000 kilometers and a speed of up to Mach 10, according to statements made in April by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The first ship equipped with the system was the frigate Admiral Gorshkov, commissioned in 2018.

The Admiral Golovko frigate, which carried out the launch, belongs to the Admiral Gorshkov class (Project 22350), currently being expanded within the Russian Navy. Three units of this class are in service with the Northern Fleet, while five others are at various stages of construction.

Images used for illustrative purposes.