Yegorov Of "Zvezda" Confirms...

 ... albeit using the older video of a surface launch, that Kazan officially carries 3M22 Zircon. Here is his report from Havana (in Russian), including some details which you will not find in Western media. The condition for both ships entering Havana was the absence of nuclear weapons on board. 

Even without nukes, combination of weapons on both ships is strategic in nature. Also, pay attention to US buoys (hundred +) spent in attempts to track Kazan. 

Another Zircon-Onyx-Kalibr-Otvet carrier Marshal Shaposhnikov together with RKR Varyag (this one, unlike sunk Moskva, is fully upgraded and digitized) was visiting Egypt. Well, will wait for Military Acceptance with more details of those visits.

Ha, CNN Reports...

 ... actual news from Havana. Not the first half of the report, of course. But visit to Admiral Gorshkov is open for public. Upper deck only, of course.  

Obviously, no one is allowed on board of Kazan. As expected, the discussion board below the video is dominated by massive numbers of TSIPSO and simply genuine article Khohol and other Western fanboys, but the truth is--as I reiterated a number of times--it is what is in waters in the Eastern and Western seaboards which really matters. Couple of the US vessels with SURTASS are  hanging around the area waiting for any opportunity to get Kazan's acoustic signature, but Russians are keenly aware of the rules of the game and Kazan, naturally, will sail on the surface until she breaks off nosy SURTASS guys and a couple of Virginias or Seawolves doing lapses in the vicinity. Good Ol' submariners game. 

What many fanboys didn't notice of course is Academic Pashin...

Russian Navy's latest class of replenishment ships (oilers) of pr. 23130 with 2 completed, 2 building and 2 ships of this class planned. They are state-of-the-art and are designed and built precisely for the type of global affairs such as the visit of a detachment of Russian ships to Cuba. Each of the ships of this class is capable to carry more than 5,000 tons of fuel, plus other supplies. My memory, however, brings me back to this mighty supplier...

At 25,000 tons, she was a mighty fine ship. Well, times change and surface fleets are rethinking their footprint in the times of hypersonic weapons and 24/7 ISR.

Military Porn...

 ... of Gorshkov and Kazan "launching". The key phrase in the segment--Targeting Autonomous. 

They have been training launches at the ranges of "longer than 600 kilometers" as reported in media. Hm, I wonder what that all means, wink, wink.

 

Zircons Paying A Visit..

 ... no, not Cuba and Venezuela only. This is the message. 

МЕХИКО, 6 июн — РИА Новости. Отряд из четырех кораблей российского Военно-морского флота прибудет с официальным визитом в порт Гаваны 12 июня, сообщило Министерство иностранных дел Кубы. "В период с 12 по 17 июня 2024 года порт Гавана с официальным визитом посетит отряд Военно-морского флота Российской Федерации в составе четырех кораблей: фрегат "Горшков", АПЛ "Казань", нефтяной танкер "Пашин" и спасательный буксир "Николай Чикер", — говорится в коммюнике на сайте ведомства. В Гаване отметили, что прибытие российских судов отвечает дружественным отношениям между Кубой и Россией, а также строго соответствует международным правилам. Там подчеркнули, что ни один из кораблей не несет ядерного оружия и их стоянка не представляет угрозы для региона.

Translation: MEXICO CITY, June 6 – RIA Novosti. A detachment of four ships of the Russian Navy will arrive on an official visit to the port of Havana on June 12, the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. “In the period from June 12 to 17, 2024, a detachment of the Russian Navy consisting of four ships will pay an official visit to the port of Havana: the frigate Gorshkov, the nuclear submarine Kazan, the oil tanker Pashin and the rescue tug Nikolai Chiker.” , says a communiqué on the department’s website. In Havana, they noted that the arrival of the Russian ships is in line with friendly relations between Cuba and Russia, and also strictly complies with international rules. They emphasized that none of the ships carry nuclear weapons and their stay does not pose a threat. for the region.

 

These are the biggest guns in cruise missile business in the world. Gorshkov carries 32 Onyx, Zircon, Kalibrs and Otvet. These are the most advanced and deadly cruise missiles in history, with a serious combat pedigree. Kazan, which is Yasen-class SSGN carries also 32 VLS and, in addition, has 10 torpedo tubes which can shoot not just torpedoes. 

For people who long ago adjusted themselves to the realities of a modern missile combat it is absolutely clear that while both can strike all of the Eastern seaboard of the US and Canada, they are there not for that reason. God forbid it comes to real WW III there are plenty of Bulavas, Avangards, Sarmats and Yarses to deal with this horrifying business. No, both Gorshkov and Kazan are there to show that they can reach any combat ship or strategic sea lift vessel carrying any military combat set from North America to Europe in case of some nutjob deciding to try to survive a conventional war with Russia in 404. 

 

I want to remind you again about what just one Yasen-class armed only with 800-km range Onyx missiles can do in terms of possible "patrol" along the Atlantic SLOC:

Zircon carriers can sink any CBG or escort without even entering the risk zone of farthest edge of CBG patrol, including early warning aircraft. But, of course, Russia has more than two carriers of this "strike package". Plus, never forget good ol' pr. 949A Oscars, not to mention venerable pr. 971 Schuka (NATO Akula) who go to sea regularly. That's the message--in case of war the US will not be able to resupply and deploy additional troops to Europe. In related news, commemorating 80th Anniversary of the D-Day, Biden didn't even mention a key role Soviet Union and Red Army played making Allied landing possible. But, of course, we all know, should have Patton planned and executed Operation Bagration he would surely have done it better than Russkies. Boy, I wish the guy was present at Kursk Battle.

For A Cold Warrior Like Me...

... watching this is like pinching myself... 

... if I am seeing what I am seeing. The change is mind-boggling, its speed is breath-taking.

Gorshkov Is On Patrol...

These are next to be loaded with 3M22 Zircons and on to changing naval warfare forever. 

Admiral Kasatonov:

Admiral Golovko:

Marshal Shaposhnikov:

And Gremyaschyii of pr. 20385.
 

These are immediately available carriers of Zircons, each of such ships capable to sink CBG in a single salvo without entering the range of carrier-borne aviation, and getting targeting from both Liana and other assets, including submarines on patrol, and that spells the end of navies as we knew them. Next "stop" are Zircons on operational-strategic aircraft such as TU-22M3M or even tactical aircraft such as SU-34 (Indians managed to stick Brahmos under the belly of their SU-30MKIs) and, the next year, on the submarines of the pr.885 Yasen-class. As they say, Happy New Year. 

The Russian navy frigate ‘Admiral Gorshkov,’ has become the first warship carrying Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles to begin routine combat service. Russian President Vladimir Putin oversaw the ceremony on Wednesday via video link, declaring that the Zircon missile was a “unique weapon” and that “no other country has anything comparable.” “I am sure that such a powerful armament will allow us to steadfastly defend Russia from potential foreign threats. It will help to maintain the national interests of our country,” Putin stated.

Yes, I am sure that is what Putin meant--Happy New Year.  US submariners' life has just got much more interesting;)) 

In related news, you have got to love the guy--his enthusiasm for developing firing solution is contagious. 

Yes, those great, legendary American battleships of WW II.

Happy Birthday, Comrade President.

And what can be a better present to a Supreme Commander (Vladimir Putin celebrates his b-day today) than sinking a floating target 450+ kilometers away by newest M=8 3M22 Zircon anti-shipping (or anything anti) missile. Now we can see it for the first time being launched by Admiral Gorshkov. 

As you can see the missile starts similar to venerable P-800 Oniks, orients itself at the initial flight-path, then proceeds, probably M=4-5, to an elevation of 28 kilometers and then accelerates to M=8+ towards target. In other words, good luck detecting and intercepting even single 3M22, the salvo of 4--laughable. Valery Gerasimov was only happy to wish President Putin all the best (in Russian) and it will be still a long time before we will learn actual parameters of this weapon. I can guarantee that they will be even more mind-boggling. Here is a video. 

I think it will be fairly soon (I don't know--a year +) that we will be given a more detailed look at Zircon. But note this--the warfare as you know it is over. Revolution in military affair about which many spoke so much has finally happened. People from Russia who saw many Soviet 1917 October Revolution movies will understand why this phrase is funny.