Invincible, hypersonic or invisible: the weapons that Russia boasts

Russia is using in its offensive against Ukraine part of its new generation of missiles, described by Moscow as “invincible”, “hypersonic”, unlimited range or invisible to radar, four years after they were introduced by Vladimir Putin.

- Avangard, “invincible” missile -

Russia's Avangard hypersonic missiles (“avant-garde” in Russian) are capable of changing course and altitude at very high speeds, which makes them “practically invincible” according to Putin, who compares the scientific and military progress of their development “with the creation of the first artificial satellite on Earth”, the famous Sputnik.

Successfully tested in December 2018, their speed reached “Mach 27", or 27 times the speed of sound, and hit a target located about 6,000 km away, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. Those missiles were put into service in December 2019.

First used by the Russian army on Friday, Kinjal hypersonic missiles (“dagger” in Russian) allowed the destruction of an underground weapons warehouse in western Ukraine.

This type of missile, very manageable, can bypass air defense systems, according to Moscow. During the tests, they reached all their targets at a distance of up to 1,000 to 2,000 km. They equip the MiG-31 warplanes.

According to experts, the use of hypersonic weaponry in Ukraine is unprecedented.

The fifth-generation Sarmat intercontinental heavy ballistic missile is supposed to evade missile defenses.

Weighing more than 200 tons, it is more efficient than its predecessor — the Voevoda missile with a range of 11,000 km — and “has virtually no limits in terms of range”, according to Putin, who says it even serves to “target targets crossing both the north and south poles.”

- Peresvet, combat laser -

The technical characteristics of Peresvet combat laser systems (“very clear” in Russian) are classified as secret. They have been combat ready since December 2019, according to the Ministry of Defense.

- Poseidon, giant underwater drone -

Poseidon, a nuclear-powered underwater drone, is capable of traveling more than a kilometer deep, at a speed of 60 to 70 knots, being invisible to detection systems, according to a source from the Russian military-industrial complex, quoted by the official TASS agency.

The first tests with this apparatus were carried out in spring 2020 from the Belgorod submarine. Putin insists on its “unlimited reach”.

- Burevestnik, “storm bird” -

Again with “unlimited range”, always according to the Russian president, and able to overcome almost all interception systems, the Russian army is developing the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missiles (“storm bird” in Russian). Its technical characteristics are classified as secret.

- Zircon, the “invisible” marine missile -

The first official launch of the Zircon hypersonic missile (named for a mineral used in jewelry) dates from October 2020. Fly to “Mach 9" to reach maritime and land targets.

At the end of December 2021, Putin announced a successful first test shot of a Zircon salvo. Other tests have been carried out since October 2020 in the Russian Arctic, in particular from the frigate “Admiral Gorshkov” and a submerged submarine.

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