RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT "RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY" HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO — EDITORIAL USE ONLY

SHOTLIST:

BARENTS SEA, RUSSIA (SEPT. 14, 2025) (RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY - RESTRICTED)

1. NORTHERN FLEET WARSHIP AT SEA

2. VARIOUS OF COMMAND CENTER MONITORING OPERATION

3. MISSILE LAUNCH FROM ADMIRAL GOLOVKO FRIGATE BARENTS SEA, RUSSIA - SEPT. 14 - RESTRICTION: USERS MUST CREDIT "RUSSIAN DEFENSE MINISTRY" HANDOUT, MUST NOT OBSCURE LOGO — EDITORIAL USE ONLY: Russia conducted a test launch of its Zircon hypersonic cruise missile during the large-scale ‘Zapad-2025’ military exercises in the Barents Sea.

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on Sunday, September 14, that the Northern Fleet conducted a missile launch as part of the ongoing strategic drills.

According to the ministry, the frigate Admiral Golovko fired a Zircon hypersonic missile at a designated sea target, successfully destroying it with a direct hit.

The surrounding area had been preemptively closed to civilian maritime traffic and air navigation.

Russia and Belarus began their joint strategic military exercise Zapad-2025 (West-2025) on Friday with an aim to improve the skills of commanders, strengthen coordination and enhance field training of regional and coalition troop groups to maintain peace, protect interests and ensure military security.

The Defense Ministries of Russia and Belarus said some 13,000 personnel were expected to take part in the exercises, which would include repelling airstrikes, countering sabotage groups, planning the use of nuclear weapons, and operating Russia’s new Oreshnik medium-range ballistic missile system.