Air Force reveals target of Russian “Zircon” missile on 20 January
Yuriy Ihnat, Head of Communications for the Ukrainian Air Force, disclosed that a Russian hypersonic missile Zirconwas targeting Vinnytsia region. He spoke to UNIAN about the development.
The enemy is systematically attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in an effort to destabilise the rear. The use of anti-ship weapons against land targets indicates that Russia is adapting its tactics.
The Zircon travels along a ballistic trajectory, making interception difficult, though Ukrainian forces have already demonstrated successes in neutralising such targets.
Ihnat emphasised that effective defence requires specialised systems deployed on time and in the correct sector. This missile, launched from temporarily occupied Crimea, is part of a broader strategy of terror.
The night attack on 20 January was massive: Russia employed one Zircon, 18 ballistic missiles (Iskander-M/S-300), 15 Kh-101 cruise missiles, and 339 strike drones, including Shahed, Gerber, and Italmas types.
The Ukrainian Air Force, together with aviation, electronic warfare units, air defence units, and mobile groups, successfully repelled the strike. Across the country, 342 targets were destroyed or suppressed: 14 ballistic missiles, 13 Kh-101, and 315 UAVs.
Earlier, Russia struck a critical infrastructure facility in Vinnytsia region and also targeted Kharkiv with guided bombs.
