Russia releases footage of 7,000mph Zircon hypersonic nuke missile that could hit London in FIVE minutes

RUSSIA has released chilling new footage of its 7,000mph Zircon hypersonic nuke missile that could hit London in five minutes. Kremlin had previously branded the deadly weapon, which carries a conventional or nuclear warhead, “unstoppable”. East2WestRussia has released footage of the Zircon nuke missile[/caption] East2WestThe weapon was described as “unstoppable”[/caption] East2WestThe 7,000 mph Zircon could hit London in five minutes[/caption] And now terrifying footage shows a Mach 9 Zircon – or Tsirkon – missile being fired, showing how the Russian President could launch a hypersonic nuclear strike on the West. The clip showing the missile being fired from the Admiral Gorshkov frigate in the White Sea was revealed amid veiled threats Putin and his top officials to go nuclear if any country intervenes with his invasion of Ukraine. In the early hours of 24 February he warned of “consequences that you have never faced in your history”, evidently alluding to his willingness to use a nuclear strike. At the weekend, in his ongoing decimation of Ukraine, he hit a military facility close to the Polish border, bringing the war to NATO’s doorstep. READ MORE ON UKRAINE The Zircon is being rushed into service this year after what Putin has described as successful tests. Russian experts say the missile has “no analogues” in the West. TV Zvezda – a channel owned by the Russian defence ministry – said of the footage: “The Russian Zircon hypersonic missile’s stealth features have been disclosed… “The speed of the Zircon hypersonic missile is so high that it prevents the opponent’s air defence system from detecting its impact in time. Most read in The Sun bump in the road Pregnant Hollyoaks star Nadine Mulkerrin shocks fans with newborn baby pic STAYING HOME Brits hit by holiday hell as thousands of passports lost in post mrs grown-up Mrs Doubtfire kids unrecognisable as they reunite 30 years on from iconic film A LIL DIFFERENT Inbetweeners actress looks unrecognisable 12 years after starring in comedy THAT'S MY GIRL EastEnders' Rita Simons reveals her daughter is TV star with own BBC series SOAPER STAR EastEnders Tamwar Masood star unrecognisable at soap 'reunion' with bushy beard “In fact, its launch will be known only after the target has been hit.” The missile also has “variable trajectory” to avoid detection, viewers were told. “No one will see the missile launch or its flight. They will only see when the missile hits the target,” said the frigate’s commander, first rank captain Igor Krokhmal. “A surface target, a coastal target. I don’t think there will be anything to counter this in the next few years.” Putin said in December: “Zircon are our newest missiles fired from the sea at sea targets, and land targets. “The tests were carried out successfully, flawlessly. “This is a big event for our country, a significant step in improving Russia’s security, in increasing (our) defence capability.” It is now in “serial production”, and he has previously called the weapon “truly unparalleled … in the world”. While the footage is only released now, it is believed to date from December, and possibly had been deliberately held back for later to send chills through the West. At the time, Putin had boasted a salvo launch, but no footage was released. The latest launch coincided with a Kalibr missile launch from the same warship. The Zircon has been hailed by Moscow’s state-controlled TV as Putin’s weapon of choice to wipe out American cities in the event of an atomic conflict. However, its range has been put around 650 miles, although Krohmal has said it can strike at targets at a distance of 930 miles. It will initially be deployed from Russian frigates, and later from submarines. A WARNING TO THE WEST Kremlin deputy premier Yury Borisov has said that Russia had outpaced the West in hypersonic weapons – and intends to maintain its lead. “We have broken forward, specifically, in the sphere of hypersonic weapons and (those) based on new physical principles,” he said. “We now have serious advantages in this regard over the leading Western countries – and will try to maintain this position.” In Putin’s statement at the start of the war, he said: “A few words to those who might be tempted to interfere in the unfolding events from the outside. “Anyone who tries to hinder us and…create a threat for our country and our people must know that the response will be immediate and will lead to consequences that you have never faced in your history. “We are ready for any scenario. All necessary decisions in this regard have been taken. I hope you hear me.” It comes as earlier this month Russia held nuclear drills with subs and land-based missiles. Russia’s Northern Fleet said in a statement that several of its nuclear submarines were involved in exercises designed to “train manoeuvring in stormy conditions”. Last week the UK’s Ministry of Defence said that Russia has used thermobaric weapons in the invasion of Ukraine. The deadly weapons are capable of exploding people’s lungs by using the oxygen of the surrounding air to produce a high-temperature explosion. Apart from the hypersonic missiles, Russia’s extensive military tech includes a “Star Warrior” weapon that can blast satellites out of orbit as well as a laser cannon. Read More on The Sun The “Star Warrior” missile system is believed to fire 14TS033 two-stage interceptor missiles which on the final version will be able to be armed with a nuclear or kinetic warhead. And according to military experts, the laser canon performs the same tasks as defense missiles or air defenses. AFPPutin previously warned using nuclear weapons if the West intervenes with the invasion[/caption] Russia’s Star Warrior weapon Help those fleeing conflict with The Sun’s Ukraine Fund PICTURES of women and children fleeing the horror of Ukraine’s devastated towns and cities have moved Sun readers to tears. Many of you want to help the five million caught in the chaos — and now you can, by donating to The Sun’s Ukraine Fund. Give as little as £3 or as much as you can afford and every penny will be donated to the Red Cross on the ground helping women, children, the old, the infirm and the wounded. Donate here to help The Sun’s fund Or text to 70141 from UK mobiles £3 — text SUN£3£5 — text SUN£5£10 — text SUN£10 Texts cost your chosen donation amount (e.g. £5) +1 standard message (we receive 100%). For full T&Cs visit redcross.org.uk/mobile The Ukraine Crisis Appeal will support people in areas currently affected and those potentially affected in the future by the crisis. 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