Russian Warship Equipped with Hypersonic Missiles Conducts Drill in English Channel

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – A Russian warship carrying Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles carried out drills in the English Channel earlier this month, Sky News reports. Russia began mass-producing Zircon missiles in 2023 in an effort to strengthen its nuclear weapons capability.

A Project 22350 frigate, the Admiral Golovko navy warship left its base in Severomorsk, Russia, on November 2 and reached the Pas De Calais section of the English Channel on Sunday, November 10, Sky News reports. Project 22350 ships are the largest type of warship in Russia’s current navy fleet and are designed for long-range missions.

The Golovko conducted counter-terrorism drills and training on avoiding dangerous targets, Sky News reports. The ship was fitted with 3S14 VLS cells, which can launch Kalibr, Oniks, or Zircon anti-ship cruise missiles. “The sea-based Zircon hypersonic missiles have a range of 900 km (560 miles), and can travel at several times the speed of sound, making it difficult to defend against them,” Sky News noted in its report.

The Golovko’s principal task was to “demonstrate the flag and ensure the naval presence in important areas of the off-shore maritime zone,” the Russian defense ministry said.
In a statement, the UK’s conservative shadow defense secretary James Cartlidge said the Russian Navy drill shows that Britain must boost its own military.

“[The Russian Navy’s] reports underline how Russian activity continues to pose a direct right on our doorstep, not just in Ukraine. That’s why it’s so important for the Government to set out a clear pathway to 2.5 percent of GDP being spent on defense – so that we can rearm at pace, and boost our deterrence,” Cartlidge said.

Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.

More Worthy News

TrumpRx Expanding, Offering Generic Prescription Drugs
TrumpRx Expanding, Offering Generic Prescription Drugs
Monday, May 18, 2026

TrumpRx is expanding to about seven times its current size, adding more than 600 generic prescription drugs to the months-old direct-to-consumer government website, the president said Monday.

Pakistan Sends 8,000 Troops, Fighter Jets to Saudi Arabia Under Defense Pact
Pakistan Sends 8,000 Troops, Fighter Jets to Saudi Arabia Under Defense Pact
Monday, May 18, 2026

Pakistan has deployed about 8,000 troops, a squadron of fighter jets, drones, and an air defense system to Saudi Arabia under a confidential mutual defense pact, according to an exclusive Reuters report.

Trump Calls Off Planned Iran Strike, Citing ‘Serious Negotiations’ With Gulf Allies
Trump Calls Off Planned Iran Strike, Citing ‘Serious Negotiations’ With Gulf Allies
Monday, May 18, 2026

President Donald Trump said Monday that he has called off a planned U.S. military strike against Iran that had been scheduled for Tuesday, citing urgent requests from Gulf leaders and what he described as “serious negotiations” aimed at reaching a deal with Tehran.

Netanyahu Says IDF Now Controls 60% of Gaza as Israel Tightens Grip on Hamas
Netanyahu Says IDF Now Controls 60% of Gaza as Israel Tightens Grip on Hamas
Monday, May 18, 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israeli forces now control roughly 60% of the Gaza Strip, marking a significant expansion of Israel’s security hold inside the enclave months after the U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect.

Israeli Forces Strike More Than 30 Hezbollah Sites as Fighting Continues in Southern Lebanon
Israeli Forces Strike More Than 30 Hezbollah Sites as Fighting Continues in Southern Lebanon
Monday, May 18, 2026

Israeli forces struck more than 30 Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure sites across Southern Lebanon over the past 24 hours, the Israel Defense Forces said Monday morning, as the Iranian-backed group continued attacks on Israeli troops and border communities.

U.S. Removes Highly Enriched Uranium From Venezuela in Secret Nuclear Security Mission
U.S. Removes Highly Enriched Uranium From Venezuela in Secret Nuclear Security Mission
Monday, May 18, 2026

The United States has completed a secret nuclear security mission to remove roughly 30 pounds of highly enriched uranium from Venezuela, transferring the material from the country’s shuttered RV-1 research reactor to a secure U.S. facility in South Carolina.

Netanyahu, Trump Discuss Iran War Options as Tensions Rise After UAE Nuclear Plant Drone Strike
Netanyahu, Trump Discuss Iran War Options as Tensions Rise After UAE Nuclear Plant Drone Strike
Monday, May 18, 2026

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with President Donald Trump on Sunday evening as Israel and the United States weighed the possibility of renewed military action against Iran, following stalled nuclear negotiations and a drone strike near a nuclear power station in the United Arab Emirates.