S. Africa Defends Military Drills W/ Russia & China, Hypersonic Missile Launch Ruled Out

South Africa's army defended its joint naval exercises with Russia and China which kicked off on Wednesday off the country's eastern coast, while a Russian officer said a warship sent by Moscow will not test-fire a Zircon missile.

• Known under the code name Mosi-II, the exercises were originally slated to start last week and have sparked diplomatic backlash from Western nations, amid widespread criticism of holding military drills with Russia at a time when it continues its war in Europe.
• A Russian commander ruled out a launch of hypersonic missiles from frigate Admiral Gorshkov which participates in the drills, brushing away an earlier report by TASS news agency. The warship bears the "Z" and "V" symbols used by the Russian troops during the invasion of Ukraine.
• Russia's Capt. Oleg Gladkiy told reporters through a translator that the drills will involve "mutual maneuvering of the three sides, assistance of the suffering vessel in a disaster, liberation of a captured vessel by the pirates, and artillery fire."
• South African military noted that Russia is the "lead" nation in the drills, while reasserting its right to pick its partners for military exercises. BRICS member Brazil is also participating in the war games as an observer.