Russia plans missile launch to pressure Ukraine and NATO
Ukrainian military intelligence has revealed that Russia plans to conduct a dangerous military operation overnight from Sunday to Monday. This operation involves launching the RS-24 intercontinental missile, with the Kremlin aiming to intimidate Ukraine and NATO.
What do you need to know?
- Russia plans to launch an RS-24 intercontinental missile overnight from May 18 to 19, 2025, from the Svobodny area in Sverdlovsk Oblast.
- The goal is to exert demonstrative pressure on Ukraine, as well as on EU and NATO member states.
- The missile has a range of over 10,000 kilometres and is equipped with a training warhead.
What are Russia's plans?
Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) reported that Russia intends to perform a demonstrative launch of the RS-24 intercontinental missile. This action aims to intimidate Ukraine and NATO member states. The launch is set to happen from a mobile ground complex in the Svobodny area of Sverdlovsk Oblast.
What are the reactions of Ukraine and NATO?
To exert demonstrative pressure and intimidate Ukraine, as well as EU and NATO member states, Russia, referred to here as the aggressor state, plans to carry out an "instructional-combat" launch of the RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile from the "Yars" complex overnight from May 18 to 19, 2025, according to a communication from Ukrainian military intelligence on Telegram. According to HUR, Russia seeks to pressure Ukraine and NATO through this alarming operation.
What threat does the missile pose?
The RS-24 intercontinental missile is equipped with a training warhead. It has a range of over 10,000 kilometres, posing a serious threat to regional security. Ukrainian intelligence warns of the possible consequences of this action by Russia. Ukrainian agents have assured that the missile launch was ordered by the Strategic Missile Forces of the Russian Federation.
