Russia uses Zircon missile against Ukraine for the second time - Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise

Russia used the Zircon missile for the second time during an attack on the territory of Ukraine before the 1000th day of the full-scale war. This was reported by Oleksandr Ruvin, Director of Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, in a commentary to UNN.

On the eve of the 1000th day of the full-scale war, Russia intensified shelling of the territory of Ukraine, using almost all known means of destruction that have been used since the beginning of the military aggression. As a result of the shelling on November 16-17, experts from the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise established the use of a Russian 3M22 Zircon hypersonic missile. This is the second time our experts have confirmed the use of this type of weapon

According to the head of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, “Zircon” is a new development of the Russian military-industrial complex. The missile was adopted in January 2023, and in February 2023, experts recorded its first use on the territory of Ukraine.

In open sources, Russia claims that the 3M22 Zircon should reach speeds of up to Mach 9 and be almost invulnerable, but the Ukrainian air defense forces manage to successfully eliminate it. That is, as in the case of the Kinzhal, there is every evidence that the performance and characteristics are overestimated. At the same time, even after being shot down, parts and fragments of Russian weapons can also pose a danger, so responding to alarms is the responsibility of all citizens personally

The use of Zircon, according to experts, is another signal to the world that Russia is ready to use new weapons even against civilian targets. This is a challenge for the international community, which should strengthen sanctions and support Ukraine in countering this aggression.

“Our experts worked at the scene. The use of Zircon is confirmed by the markings on the parts and fragments of the weapon and the characteristic technical features inherent in this type of missile. We will also conduct laboratory tests to analyze the composition of the materials,” Ruvin summarized.

Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise continues to be at the forefront of the scientific struggle for justice and truth, documenting the crimes of the aggressor and helping to protect our country. The coordinated actions of all services and unity bring our victory closer, and the prepared evidence base will become the basis for international courts and tribunals to bring the perpetrators to justice.

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Earlier, the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise (Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise) reported that during the attacks on the territory of Ukraine on October 26-29, the Russians used attack drones with a thermobaric warhead.

It is worth noting that the Russians are constantly trying to modify and modernize all types of missiles and drones they have, which are used for attacks on Ukraine. In a commentary to UNN, KFI experts explainedwhat features are involved and what role Western components play in the changes to enemy weapons. The enemy uses not only Western components. According to Oleksandr Ruvin, director of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise, components for UAVs used by the enemy to attack Ukraine are supplied by about 50 manufacturers from China.

In addition, the experts of the Kyiv Scientific Research Institute of Forensic Expertise found that the Russian X-69 missiles used by the occupiers to hit Ukraine are made of several types of weapons and have foreign components.