(Reuters) - A preliminary analysis concluded that Russia hit Kyiv last week with the hypersonic Zircon missile, its first use in the nearly two-year-old war, the head of a Kyiv research institute said on Monday, presenting a new challenge to Ukraine's air defences.
Oleksandr Ruvin, director of the Kyiv Scientific-Research Institute for Forensic Examinations, said on his Telegram channel that his institute completed a preliminary analysis of missile fragments from a Russian attack on Feb. 7.
"In this case, we see elements that are characteristic of the 3M22 Zircon missile.
Photos You Should See View All 22 ImagesRussia previously said it completed testing of the Zircon missile in June 2022, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the Zircon as part of a new generation of unrivalled arms systems.
Russia conducts regular air strikes on Ukraine using an array of different long-range missiles and drones.
Persons:
Oleksandr Ruvin, Vladimir Putin, Yuliia Dysa, Gareth Jones, Tom Balmforth, Cynthia Osterman
Organizations:
Reuters, Kyiv Scientific, Research Institute, Forensic, Military
Locations:
Russia, Russian, Ukraine