Russian Military Tests Zircon Hypersonic Missile; Domestic Oil Refinery Ablaze After Ukrainian Strike | WPN World People News

On the 12th, Russia and Belarus launched “Zapad 2025”, a large-scale joint military exercise that will run until the 16th, mobilizing around 30,000 troops to showcase military deterrence against NATO. Russia’s Ministry of Defense released footage highlighting the Northern Fleet’s frigate Admiral Golovko successfully test-firing a Zircon hypersonic cruise missile in the Barents Sea, striking its target with precision. According to President Vladimir Putin, the Zircon can reach speeds of up to Mach 9, has a maximum range of 1,000 kilometers, and can carry a 300–400 kilogram warhead, making it a key weapon designed to penetrate NATO’s defenses.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones struck deep into Russian territory, about 800 kilometers inside the border, successfully bombing the Kirishi Refinery—one of Russia’s largest oil processing facilities. The explosion sent massive flames into the sky and caused extensive damage. The refinery has an annual capacity of roughly 20 million tons, accounting for 6.4% of Russia’s total crude output. The strike dealt a heavy blow to Russia’s energy infrastructure and once again demonstrated Ukraine’s growing long-range strike capability.

As the war between Russia and Ukraine intensifies, the combination of large-scale drills and deep strikes has drawn significant international attention. U.S. President Donald Trump reiterated his criticism that current sanctions against Moscow are insufficient, warning that he is prepared to impose harsher measures targeting Russia’s oil sector. With NATO and Russia ramping up military activity, geopolitical risks are rising, threatening renewed volatility in global energy markets and security dynamics.