Russia conducts stealth maneuvering tests for its Yars Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

Europe, News February 8, 2025 , by IRIA No Comments

3 minute read

Russia is conducting stealth maneuvers of its Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) in the Volga region, the Russian Defense Ministry announced on February 6, 2025.

Video footage released by the ministry showed Yars missile launchers moving through a snow-covered forest, conducting mobility and strategic deployment testing of the nuclear arsenal.

The Yars missile, a key component of Russia’s nuclear triad, is designed to be transported on truck carriers or launched from silos. The missile has been a crucial part of Russia’s overall military and nuclear strategy, particularly amid rising tensions with the West over the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Nuclear tensions with the West

The latest drills come amid ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and NATO over the war in Ukraine. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Russia has repeatedly signaled its nuclear readiness through military exercises and strategic deployments.

The United States and NATO have consistently warned against any escalation involving nuclear weapons. In response to past Russian exercises, NATO officials have reaffirmed their commitment to collective defense while emphasizing the catastrophic consequences of any nuclear confrontation.

Similar maneuvers were conducted last year in the Tver region, widely interpreted as a warning to NATO and Western allies. The ongoing war has led the Putin-led Russian administration to signal a shift in Russia’s stance on nuclear treaties and military doctrine.

^{Service members direct the movement of a Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system during maneuvers in the Republic of Mari El, Russia, in this still image from a video released on February 6, 2025. (Image Credit: Russian Defence Ministry)}

Last year, President Putin approved amendments to the country’s official nuclear doctrine, expanding the range of scenarios under which Moscow would contemplate nuclear engagement.

Under these new guidelines, Russia warns that any assault supported by nuclear power would be perceived as a joint attack, a clear message aimed at dissuading the United States from assisting Ukraine in its military operations.

RS-24 Yars ICBM

The RS-24 Yars ICBM is a powerful symbol of Russia’s strategic nuclear capability. Developed by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology and manufactured at the Votkinsk Machine Building Plant, the Yars has been in service since 2010, forming a crucial part of the Russian Strategic Missile Troops.

Weighing 49,600 kg, this massive missile stretches 22.5 meters in length with a diameter of 2 meters. It is equipped with three multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) warheads, each capable of carrying a 200-kiloton nuclear payload. With an operational range of 11,000 to 12,000 kilometers, the Yars missile is capable of striking targets across continents.

The missile is powered by a solid-fuel engine, though some versions incorporate a liquid-fuel stage for enhanced performance. It reaches a staggering speed of Mach 25 (30,600 km/h), making it one of the fastest weapons in existence. It is guided by an inertial navigation system supplemented by Glonass, Russia’s satellite navigation system, achieving an accuracy of approximately 100 meters.

^{Russian military vehicles, including Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system units, drive along a road before a military parade on Victory Day, in Moscow, Russia, on May 9, 2024. (Image Credit: Reuters/Shamil Zhumatov)}

One of its most significant advantages is its deployment versatility. The Yars can be launched from reinforced silos or transported on a mobile transporter erector launcher (TEL), allowing for rapid repositioning and enhanced survivability against enemy attacks.

As a modernized successor to the Soviet-era Topol-M, the Yars missile represents a sophisticated evolution in Russia’s nuclear arsenal, combining stealth, mobility, and devastating firepower. Its presence underscores Russia’s commitment to maintaining a formidable nuclear deterrent, ensuring that it remains a critical player in global strategic defense.