Russia rules out testing hypersonic missile during naval exercise

The Admiral Gorshkov frigate of the Russian navy is seen in Richards Bay, South Africa on February 22 [Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP]

Russia will not fire its new generation Zircon hypersonic missile during a joint naval exercise with South Africa and China, a senior Russian naval officer has said.

The 10-day Mosi II exercise, which is taking place off South Africa’s eastern coast and coincides with the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, has raised alarm among Western governments.