Putin orders missile ship training in Atlantic, Mediterranean as part of military exercises

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On Wednesday, President Vladimir Putin oversaw the launch of a warship equipped with hypersonic cruise missiles, the Admiral Gorshkov frigate, on a training mission in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean.

Putin stated, “I am sure that such powerful weapons will make it possible to reliably protect Russia from potential external threats and will help ensure the national interests of our country. We will continue to develop the fighting potential of our armed forces.” The Zircon missile system, which “has no equivalent,” according to Putin, will be used to “counter threats to Russia and support regional peace and stability together with friendly countries,” according to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

The Zircon missiles, which Shoigu claimed are “able to overcome any modern or future air defense,” will be used for “pinpoint and powerful strikes against the enemy at sea and on land” during crew training exercises for deploying hypersonic weapons and long-range cruise missiles.

In response to the launch, US State Department spokesman Ned Price commented, “It is not our practice to weigh in on propaganda exercises.”