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
In an unprecedented rebuke to U.S. President Donald J. Trump, European countries on Monday declined his request to send warships to the Strait of Hormuz, which carried about one-fifth of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas until its effective closure by Iran.
A bitter war of words between Hungary and Ukraine has escalated sharply ahead of Hungary’s crucial April 12 elections, with both sides trading accusations over threats, energy supplies, and alleged political interference.
A previously unknown terrorist organization with suspected links to Iran has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks on Jewish targets across Europe, raising alarms among security officials and Jewish communities.
President Donald Trump launched an anti-fraud task force on Monday, and appointed Vice President JD Vance to lead it.
The Israeli military has launched a targeted ground operation in southern Lebanon aimed at dismantling Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure and strengthening security for communities in northern Israel.
A growing divide is emerging across the United States as Republican-led states move to slash or eliminate personal income taxes while Democratic-led states push to raise taxes on high earners.
Russia is expanding tests of a nationwide system designed to shut down internet access during times of unrest, leaving millions in Moscow temporarily cut off from mobile data and online services, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.