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Russian President Vladimir Putin put his forces on red alert today announcing fighter jets carrying nuclear-capable hypersonic missiles would begin patrolling over the Black Sea.<\/p>\n
The harrowing announcement came at a press conference during his visit to China. Following several devastating strikes by Ukraine on the Black Sea fleet, it’s likely Moscow wants to increase its security in the area.<\/p>\n
Putin said: “On my instructions, the Russian military space forces begin patrolling on a permanent basis in the neutral zone of airspace over the Black Sea. And our MIG 31 aircraft are armed with Kinzhal complexes.”<\/p>\n
The Kh-47M2 Kinzhal is a Russian ballistic hypersonic missile. Putin said it can reach speeds of Mach 9 and has a range of 1,000 kilometres (621 miles).<\/p>\n
Russian reports have previously claimed that the weapon can reach up to 2,000 kilometres (1,242 miles) and evade all existing air defence systems.<\/p>\n
Putin said that the missiles were not a threat and that Russia would monitor the situation in the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n
The move is likely to increase the chance of mistakes in the area where NATO forces also operate. In March, a Russian fighter jet damaged an American MQ-9 Reaper drone causing it to crash into the Black Sea.<\/p>\n
The announcement comes following several devastating strikes on Russia’s Black Sea fleet carried out by Ukraine. One strike hit a kilo-class submarine while another hit the headquarters of the fleet killing several officers.<\/p>\n
Russia is likely trying to ramp up security in the region following the humiliating attacks.<\/p>\n
Ukraine and Russia are both attempting to strike a serious blow on the battlefield before the approaching winter weather degrades fighting conditions.<\/p>\n