Zircon missiles used against Ukraine on November 17 aren't priority for Russia now - expert

He said this on Espreso TV.

"The Zircon is, after all, an anti-ship missile designed to be deployed on ships. Russia had planned to equip a line of specific ship types with the Zircon. This is a complex missile, not an easy one to produce, and it is not currently a priority for the imported components Russia uses to manufacture Kalibrs, Kinzhals, Kh-101s, and similar systems. Even the Kh-69 has been simplified by the Russians, who eliminated the entire radar homing head module due to a shortage of necessary equipment," the aviation expert said.

According to him, Zircon missiles are stored in the same containers as Kalibrs, leading to checks for any modifications. Like the Kinzhals, they are touted as "having no analogues."

"The Zircon flies at high speeds, but its warhead is weak, despite Putin's claim that it weighs 300 kilograms. In reality, it likely weighs no more than 100–120 kilograms. These Zircons were used in the massive missile attack on Ukraine on November 17 because the Russians had the capability to do so. However, it is not their primary missile at present. Initially, the plan was to produce about a dozen Zircons for testing. That is why the enemy still possesses some of these missiles from those earlier stockpiles," Kryvolap commented.

• On November 17, the Russian forces launched a massive attack on Ukraine. They used attack drones, as well as cruise and ballistic missiles for a combined attack. Energy facilities in a number of Ukrainian regions were hit.