[...]As far as I remember,
Putin presented 6 different new types of weapons and missiles in 2018.
The fastest is the „Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle“, which travels at a speed of 20-27 Mach, which translates into 24,695 km/h - 33,339 km/h. The circumference of earth is 40,075 km and half of it is 20,037.5 km. So, even that fastest hypersonic weapon of the Russians can reach the farthest target on the globe (20,037.5 km away) at the maximum speed of 27 Mach, theoretically in 36 Minutes. But in the case of the Avangard, it first needs to be transported via AN ICBM type rocket (a new supersonic weapon below can do it too!) high up into the earth atmosphere on a ballistic trajectory, which likely adds a couple of minutes to that count. And the range of it is uncertain too. Some speculate it is over 6000 km.
The second fastest of those new weapons is RS-28 Sarmat, with a maximum speed of Mach 20.7 = 25,560 km/h (it can deliver an unspecified number of „
Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles“!). It has no range limitation.
The third-fastest missile is Kh-47M2 Kinzhal, with a speed between Mach 10 – Mach 12 (12,300–14,700 km/h) and a range of 2000 km.
In addition,
a yet unspecified unmanned underwater vehicle was presented which could be some kind of
Poseidon in addition to a Laser weapon with the name
Peresvet. The max speed of the water vehicle is unclear, but it will likely be around Mach 1 - Mach 2. And the laser weapon obviously can't be counted to the hypersonic missile arsenal and likely can't reach very far targets.
Which leaves one missile,
the 9M730 Burevestnik, which might be one of the most interesting ones, since it doesn't follow a ballistic trajectory, is reportedly also hypersonic (Mach 1 or more) and has practically no range limit because it is powered by a small nuclear reactor and can carry a nuclear warhead and can't be intercepted. Theoretically, it should be able to fly "forever" but from what Putin said it doesn't seem to be meant to do that although it theoretically could. So theoretically, if they launch enough of those Burevestnik missiles and let them fly "forever" at the same time in such a way that any single one of those missiles can hit any target on earth within 2 minutes, it might be possible. But I guess that is rather unlikely because something has to eventually wear out in the missile, and it would be quite dangerous with a nuclear warhead.
Having said that, Putin made it clear in that 2018 speech that they have more weapon systems either under development or not disclosed yet. And here we are, 4 years later. So, it could very well be that they have much more up their sleeves...
Just thinking out laud: Theoretically, if they would be able to have a
Burevestnik type missile "fly forever" while not having a nuclear warhead, they could launch enough of those and let them fly over the globe constantly and forever which could end the era of "nobody wins a nuclear war" since they could be able to stop any nuclear weapon launch shortly after departure! It could also mean the end of any risk for a nuclear war altogether! Which would be a huge deal. But understandably, they would need to find a very safe way to make those missiles useless in the case of malfunctions and other such risks (like flying them high up in the atmosphere and explode them). Which can never be 100% safe anyway.
Having said that, I also think that what we are witnessing right now is quite unprecedented in known human history and I keep wondering if what we are seeing is exactly what the C's have predicted and kept saying for many years, just in ways we never would have expected to play out!
What is happening is very interesting, that's for sure!
tass.com
Or a schizophrenic, a psychopath, hmm...
Putin said that the Russian Armed Forces struck at the headquarters of the Main Intelligence Directorate in Kyiv.
