A launch system for “Zircon” hypersonic missiles has been destroyed in Crimea – Main Intelligence Directorate
24 March 16:18
On the night of March 24, Ukrainian reconnaissance units tracked a column of “Bastion-M” launchers moving toward enemy positions on the peninsula and delivered precise strikes against it. The Main Intelligence Directorate (GUR) reported this onTelegram, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
“As a result of the scouts’ precision strikes, one launcher and two Zircon missiles were destroyed, and another Bastion was damaged,” the GUR reported.
Seven Russian soldiers were also killed or wounded.
The Military Intelligence Directorate noted: The Russian Federation’s army uses “Zircon” missiles from “Bastion” systems primarily to terrorize Ukraine’s civilian population, particularly residents of the southern and eastern regions.
“Last night, the aggressor’s plans to attack peaceful cities were thwarted,” the GUR emphasized.
Originally, the “Bastion” was designed to engage surface ships of various classes and types as part of amphibious formations, convoys, ship-based and aircraft-carrier strike groups, as well as individual ships and ground-based radio-contrast targets under conditions of intense fire and electronic countermeasures.
The system is also one of the launchers for the “Onyx” missile. Since the start of the war against Ukraine, Russia has been using this anti-ship system to fire at ground targets on Ukrainian territory.
“Zircon” is a Russian anti-ship hypersonic cruise missile (speed up to 8–9 Mach, range >1,000 km) capable of striking ground targets. It is deployed from Bastion systems and naval vessels. Russia is using them in the war against Ukraine, but due to their high cost and production complexity, they are in short supply.
