Russia loads new intercontinental ballistic missile into silo in Moscow

Europe, News December 19, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Russia’s rocket forces deployed the Yars nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missiles into the launch silos at the Kozelsk base in the Kaluga region, southwest of Moscow, raising concerns about global nuclear safety.

Russia’s defense ministry announced on December 18, 2023, that the 25-meter-long RS-24 Yars missile, equipped with the nuclear-capable Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, was deployed at the Kozelsk base. The missile is designed to carry multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles (MIRVs), which allow it to deliver multiple nuclear warheads at different targets.

The Kaluga region sits within 800 kilometers of Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital, and even closer to the border between the warring nations. Deployment of the nuclear-capable long-range missile has raised concerns about Moscow’s nuclear threat.

“In the Kozelsky compound, Strategic Missile Forces loaded a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile into a silo launcher,” the defense ministry said in a statement as it released a short clip of the giant missile being transported to a silo and loaded into a shaft.

Russia has the world’s largest arsenal of nuclear weapons closely followed by the United States. Together, Russia and the United States control more than 90% of the world’s nuclear weapons. The U.S. has around 5,244 nuclear warheads while Russia has 5,889 nuclear warheads.

Russia’s nuclear threats

While speaking at the 11th meeting of Security Council secretaries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in Moscow, in November this year, Russia’s Secretary of Security Council Nikolai Patrushev warned NATO and its partners about the increasing threat of nuclear, chemical, and biological warfare due to the growing global destabilization.

*^{Russia’s Sarmat intercontinental missile is shown at an undisclosed location in Russia (Image Credit: RU-RTR Russian television via AP)}*

Russia has also withdrawn from the Cold War-era arms control treaty on Conventional Armed Forces in Europe, which was designed to prevent Cold War rivals from deploying armed forces at or near their mutual borders. NATO Allies condemned Russia’s move that undermined Euro-Atlantic security.

Yars ICBM

The Yars (RS-24) intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) represents the panicle of Russia’s strategic missile capabilities. It combines advanced missile technology with formidable firepower. Designed to ensure robust strategic deterrence, the Yars ICBM system has garnered international attention for its potency and versatility.

The 25-meter-long missile has been in service with the Russian rocket forces since 2010. The Yars ICBM has an impressive payload capacity making it capable of carrying multiple independently targetable nuclear warheads. The missile has a vast range of 12,000 kilometers with an accuracy of 150 meters and it can reach a maximum speed of Mach 27, making it capable of escaping detection from the world’s most advanced missile defense system, providing flexibility in deployment and enhancing its ability to operate in different strategic contexts.

The Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) capability allows the Yars to engage three to six targets at the same time with a single missile. The Yars system features both silo-based and road-mobile launch platforms, providing flexibility in deployment and enhancing its ability to operate in different strategic contexts.