Putin oversees hypersonic missile test launches as part of huge military drill off the coast of annexed Crimea
- President saw Kalibr cruise and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles being launched
- Russian commander-in-chief was on the Marshal Ustinov cruiser
- Moscow annexed Crimean peninsula in 2014 after rolling tanks over the border
Russian president Vladimir Putin has been pictured watching a massive military drill off the coast of disputed Crimea.
The commander-in-chief watched Kalibr cruise and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles being launched from the Marshal Ustinov cruiser as he floated with the Northern and Black Sea fleets off the coast of the territory.
Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in 2014, in a move condemned by Western nations, and recently held talks with Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdogan as it cosies up to the NATO country.
The display comes after tensions in the Middle East led the US to parade 52 stealth fighters at their Utah airbase in a show of brute force.
Russian president Vladimir Putin watched from the Marshal Ustinov cruiser as Kalibr cruise and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles were launched off the coast of annexed Crimea
The commander-in-chief also entered the control deck on the cruiser as Moscow demonstrated its military strength in the drill
More than 30 ships, 40 aircraft and one submarine were involved in the military exercises, reported Russian state news agency TASS, including a large anti-submarine ship and landing ships.
‘A pair of MiG-31K interceptor aircraft fired Kinzhal missiles at a target at one of the test ranges,’ the Kremlin said.
Putin has repeatedly touted the ability of the Kinzhal missile, which he first unveiled as part of an array of next-generation nuclear weapons during his annual state-of-the-nation address in 2018.
Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu reported to Putin that the first Avangard hypersonic missiles had been put into service in late December, which Moscow hailed as a major coup for the nation.
Analysts have said Russia is the first country to put intercontinental ballistic missiles armed with hypersonic weapons into active service.
The exercises also showed frigates and large anti-submarine ships as well as a submarine, large landing ships and fast attack guided missile craft. Putin is seen giving the thumbs up as he watches the display from the Marshal Ustinov
Putin has touted the Kinzhal missiles as being part of a new generation of nuclear weapons. They are the first intercontinental ballistic missiles carrying hypersonic weapons to go into active service
Putin pictured at the steering wheel of the Marshal Ustinov cruiser ship during the demonstrations
It came after the US showed 52 F-35A aircrafts, which are worth a whopping $4.2 billion, at the Hill Air Force Base in Utah on Monday following an elephant walk down the runway
Following its invasion of Ukraine, an insurgency broke out in the region which has claimed the lives of more than 13,000 people.
Malaysia Airlines flight 17 was shot down as it flew over the peninsula, killing all 283 passengers and 15 crew members on board.
Ukraine has repeatedly called for the region to be returned to the country, and the international community has refused to recognise the annexation.