In a demonstration of its military capabilities, Russia’s defense ministry confirmed the successful test launch of a Yars intercontinental ballistic nuclear missile on Friday. The Yars missile, known for its capacity to deliver multiple nuclear warheads, was hailed as a pivotal component of Russia’s strategic defense arsenal.
The test, conducted at the state test cosmodrome Plesetsk, involved crews from the Yoshkar-Ola missile formation, who executed a combat training launch of the mobile-based solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile PGRK Yars. The missile, equipped with multiple warheads, accurately reached its designated area at the Kura training ground on the Kamchatka Peninsula, as per the Russian defense ministry’s announcement reported by news agency TASS.
The primary objective of the launch was to validate the tactical, technical, and flight characteristics of the modern missile system, the statement affirmed. The successful completion of all assigned tasks underscores the effectiveness and reliability of the Yars missile platform.
The test comes on the heels of a warning issued by Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the escalating tensions in the Ukraine war and the potential for a “global nuclear conflict.” In a two-hour speech, Putin criticized Western leaders, cautioning against reckless actions that could precipitate catastrophic consequences. He emphasized Russia’s possession of weapons capable of striking targets in adversary territories, raising concerns about the heightened risk of nuclear conflict.
The Yars missile, a modified version of the Topol-M missile system, stands as a formidable force in Russia’s nuclear arsenal. Measuring 23 meters in length, the missile’s multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs) enable it to deliver multiple nuclear warheads, each capable of targeting distinct objectives.
Russia’s deployment of Yars Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) systems began in 2009, with the Yars launcher accepted for experimental combat duty in the Strategic Missile Force. In a recent development, Russian rocket forces installed a new Yars ICBM into a silo at the Kozelsk base in the Kaluga region, underscoring the nation’s commitment to bolstering its strategic defense capabilities.
With approximately 5,889 nuclear warheads, Russia maintains the world’s largest arsenal of nuclear weapons, solidifying its status as a leading nuclear power. The United States closely follows with about 5,244 nuclear warheads, collectively controlling over 90 percent of the world’s nuclear weapons.
Sources By Agencies
