A Newsweek map shows the range of the nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles reportedly on board a Russian frigate deployed off the German coast, following Russian President Vladimir Putin's warning of a retaliatory attack on British and EU vessels. The vessel, Admiral Kasatonov, sailed off the coast of the island of Fehmarn, a popular destination for tourists, British newspaper The Daily Telegraph reported, citing shipping data. On board were Zircon hypersonic missiles, also known as the 3M22 Zircon, whose high speeds make it hard for air defense systems to intercept, the newspaper said.
Moscow has used Zircon missiles to strike targets in Ukraine during its full-scale invasion. The paper also said the Admiral Kasatonov may have been sailing with its location tracker turned off, and it was unclear whether it was still near Fehmarn as of Tuesday. German newspaper Kieler Nachrichten said the vessel was deployed to the Baltic Sea days after the destroyer Admiral Levchenko arrived in the region.
Newsweek has contacted the German and Russian defense ministries for comment. Built in 2020, the Admiral Kasatonov is part of Russia's Northern Fleet and is one of its most advanced, with the ability to conduct long-range strikes and anti-submarine warfare. Images from Russian state media have shown Putin visiting the vessel and its crew in the Arctic port of Severodvinsk in December 2023.
Newsweek's map shows the range of the Zircon missiles reportedly on board the vessel, which is up to 660 miles, putting within reach NATO members such as Germany, Denmark, Sweden and Poland. The warship's movement into the Baltic Sea highlights the latest tensions between Russia and NATO. A U.S. intelligence report cited by The Wall Street Journal this month warned that Moscow could launch an attack on the Western alliance within weeks to test its resolve, which could involve a small-scale assault on Poland or a Baltic state.
U.S. and NATO officials believe Putin may escalate against the alliance if he is unable to secure a face-saving off-ramp to the war with Ukraine. Scenarios include a cyberattack and a small-scale incursion to challenge NATO's unity and commitment to its Article 5 pledge of mutual defense, according to the report. During drills by Russia's Pacific Fleet, Putin said last week that he was ready to retaliate against British and EU ships that had tried to seize Russia-linked vessels known as the "shadow fleet." Moscow uses the vessels to circumvent oil sanctions imposed because of Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
"It's nothing but piracy and robbery. If this is done, we will be forced to respond in kind," Putin said, referring to the Pacific, which British and EU commercial ships use. Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, has also said Russia has the right to attack any merchant ship belonging to an enemy state.
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