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Russia Reaches Annual Zircon, Oniks Missile Production Targets With 93 Missiles Made in 7 Months
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Russia has already fulfilled its annual production target for Zircon and Oniks missiles, manufacturing 33 Zircon and 60 Oniks missiles in the first seven months of 2026, according to RBC-Ukraine’s interview with Vadym Skibitskyi, deputy chief of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) on August 10.
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As of August 3, Russia had completed the production target for both missile types set under its state defense procurement program, according to the report.
According to Skibitskyi, during the first seven months of the year Russia produced 33 Zircon missiles and 60 Oniks missiles.
Both missile systems were originally developed as anti-ship weapons. Following modernization, however, Russia began using them against ground targets in Ukraine.
What is the Zircon missile
The 3M22 Zircon is a Russian hypersonic cruise missile originally developed as a ship- and submarine-launched anti-ship weapon. It can reach speeds of up to Mach 9 and has an estimated range of around 1,000 kilometers, with its high speed intended to make interception by existing and future air defense systems more difficult.
The missile entered operational service aboard a Russian surface warship in early 2023 before being integrated with submarine platforms. Russian officials have repeatedly highlighted its claimed ability to evade air defenses as one of its main advantages.
What is the Oniks missile
The Oniks is a Soviet-designed supersonic medium-range anti-ship cruise missile developed in the 1970s. It was originally intended to strike surface vessels, naval formations, and warships, but has also been adapted for use against ground targets and infrastructure.
The missile is highly resistant to air defense and electronic countermeasures. Its radar-guided seeker allows it to engage targets both at sea and on land.
The Oniks is about 8 meters long and has a launch weight of roughly 3,000 kilograms, increasing to up to 4,000 kilograms with its transport-launch container. It can reach speeds of up to Mach 2.6, or approximately 3,182 km/h at an altitude of 14,000 meters. The missile can carry a warhead weighing up to 300 kilograms.
Russia demonstrated its continued use of these missile systems against Ukrainian targets during its overnight assault on Kyiv and the surrounding region on August 5, which killed 17 people and injured 44. The attack damaged civilian businesses, logistics facilities, and railway infrastructure.
According to Ukraine's Air Force, Russian forces launched 24 Iskander-M and S-400 ballistic missiles, four Zircon or Oniks missiles, and 115 Shahed-type and other drones. A significant portion of the drones were reportedly jet-powered.
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