WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Russia uses Zircon hypersonic missile in Ukraine for first time, researchers say

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.

He included a video of alleged missile wreckage showing specific markings. "In this case, we see elements that are characteristic of the 3M22 Zircon missile. Parts and fragments of the engine and steering mechanisms have specific markings," he wrote.

The Russian defence ministry did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

The Zircon has a range of 1,000 km (625 miles) and travels at nine times the speed of sound, according to Russia. Military analysts have said its hypersonic speed could mean greatly reduced reaction time for air defences and a capability to attack large, deep and hardened targets.

Russia 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.

If its use in Ukraine is confirmed, the weapon could pose an additional challenge for the embattled country's air defences, amid uncertainty over future Western military aid.

Russia conducts regular air strikes on Ukraine using an array of different long-range missiles and drones. The Zircon was initially designed as a sea-launched weapon and a ground-launched version was developed later.

Ruvin's statement did not say whether the weapon had been fired from land or from sea. The markings recovered from the wreckage indicated the weapon had been assembled recently, he said.

The Feb. 7 attack killed at least five people and damaged residential buildings and energy infrastructure, officials said.

** Ukraine says Russia strikes Dnipro with drones, missiles

Ukraine's air force said Russia launched a missile and drone attack on Monday on the central city of Dnipro and the mayor said infrastructure had been hit.

Dnipro came under attack from a missile and four groups of drones approaching from the south, east and north, the air force said on the Telegram messaging app.

Air raid alerts were subsequently lifted.

Mayor Borys Filatov said infrastructure had been hit, but gave no further details.

Suspilne public television quoted the water authority as saying power cuts had closed a pumping station and supplies were cut to certain districts.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Ukrainian forces lose up to 240 troops in Donetsk area in 24 hours — Defense Ministry

Russian forces destroyed two munitions depots of the Ukrainian army and neutralized up to 240 Ukrainian soldiers in the Donetsk area over the past day, the Russian defense Ministry said.

Here are the details of this and other combat actions that happened over the past 24 hours, according to the Ministry report.

Donetsk Area

"The enemy lost up to 240 soldiers, a tank, three cars, two US-made M777 artillery systems, and a D-20 howitzer. Apart from that, two field munitions depots were destroyed," the Ministry said.

The Russian army has taken more favorable positions near Donetsk in one day and also repelled 13 attacks by Ukrainian assault groups.

"In the Donetsk area, units of the southern group of forces have taken more favorable lines and positions, and also repelled 13 attacks by assault groups of Ukraine’s 42nd mechanized, 79th airborne assault, and 81st airmobile brigades and the 112th territorial defense brigade in the areas of Bogdanovka and Georgiyevka in the Donetsk People's Republic and Belogorovka of the Lugansk People's Republic," the news release reads.

Southern Donetsk Area

Russian forces repelled three Ukrainian army attacks in the south Donetsk area over the past 24 hours eliminating over 165 enemy’s troops.

"In the south Donetsk direction, units of the battlegroup East with the aviation fire support repelled three attacks by assault groups of the Ukrainian army’s 72nd mechanized and 127th territorial defense brigades near the settlements of Vodyanoye in the Donetsk People’s Republic [DPR] and Priyutnoye in the Zaporozhye Region," the Ministry stated.

The enemy’s losses totaled over 165 personnel, three motor vehicles and a D-30 howitzer, the Ministry specified.

Krasny Liman Area

Russian forces improved their positions in the Krasny Liman area and repelled 2 attacks by Ukrainian troops during the past day.

"In the Krasny Liman area, units of the Battlegroup Center improves their frontline positions and repelled two attacks by assault groups of the 60th and 63rd mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian army near the settlements of Yampolovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Chervonaya Dibrova in the Lugansk People’s Republic," the Ministry said.

According to the Ministry, Ukraine’s losses amounted up to 290 soldiers, four armored combat vehicles and nine cars.

Kupyansk Area

Russian forces repulsed three Ukrainian army attacks in the Kupyansk area, eliminating up to 60 enemy troops over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, the Defense Ministry reported.

"In the Kupyansk direction, units of Russia’s battlegroup West repelled three attacks by assault groups of the Ukrainian army’s 43rd mechanized and 25th airborne brigades near the settlements of Timkovka and Sinkova in the Kharkov Region," the Ministry stated.

"The enemy’s losses totaled up to 60 personnel, two pickup trucks and a Gvozdika motorized artillery system," the Ministry specified.

Kherson Area

The Russian forces hit Ukrainian brigades in the Kherson Region, wiping out up to 70 enemy servicemen.

"In the Kherson area, Russian units defeated the 35th Ukrainian marine brigade and 121st territorial defense brigade near Tokarevka and Mikhailovka in the Kherson Region. The enemy lost up to 70 servicemen and three vehicles," the Ministry said, adding that Russian forces also destroyed a Ukrainian Gvozdika howitzer, a Hyacinth-B gun and a D-30 howitzer.

Destroyed equipment tally

Russian air defense forces shot down 33 Ukrainian drones during the past day, the Defense Ministry said.

"Air defense systems destroyed 33 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles near the settlements of Novaya Kakhovka, Obryvka, Raiskoye, and Peschanovka in the Kherson Region," it said.

The Russian forces hit the Ukrainian manpower and equipment in 109 areas over the past 24 hours.

"Russia’s operational-tactical aviation, unmanned aerial vehicles and artillery hit the manpower and military equipment of the Ukrainian armed forces in 109 areas," the statement said.

Reuters/Tass