Russian frigate hits targets in Atlantic exercise with Zircon hypersonic missiles

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia's frigate Admiral Gorshkov carried out military exercises in the western part of the Atlantic Ocean, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

The crew exercised hitting targets -- mock enemy ships -- with hypersonic Zircon (Tsirkon) missiles at a distance of over 900 kilometers (559 miles), the ministry said in a statement.

It said the training was successful, and that the crew showed a high level of coordination.

The ministry added that in February, the frigate will take part in joint drills with the navies of South Africa and China off South African coasts.