Russia's RS‑24 missile test absence raises new concerns
Russia did not conduct the planned test of the RS-24 Yars missile. The absence of evidence of a launch indicates that the launch did not take place, reports the Ukrainian portal Defense Express.
Russia planned to carry out a test launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile RS-24 Yars on the night of May 17 to 18. However, according to Defense Express, the lack of any evidence suggests that the launch did not occur. The planned launch site was located in the Sverdlovsk region, near the town of Svobodny, where the 433rd Regiment of the 42nd Division of the 31st Army of Russia's Strategic Forces is stationed.
The RS-24 Yars missile launch did not occur
Due to the proximity to the town, the missile launch would likely have been noticed by residents. Additionally, the missile's flight should have been visible over a large area of Siberia and the Far East, yet no footage has appeared online. It's worth recalling that in 2023, Russia twice failed to conduct successful Yars missile launches, with the missiles veering off course.
The reasons for the failed launch remain unknown. It is possible there was a malfunction at an early stage of the flight. Defense Express notes that in 2024, a Sarmat missile explosion occurred in a launch silo at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, highlighting that long-range missile failures still occur in Russia.
The RS-24 Missile
The RS-24 Yars is a key component of Russia's nuclear triad, which includes the capability to launch missiles from land, sea, and air. This military strategy allows Russia to maintain nuclear deterrence and provides flexibility in responding to potential threats. Globally, only a few countries, such as the USA and China, have a complete nuclear triad.
The RS-24 Yars missile is approximately 23 metres long with the warhead and has a diameter of 2 metres. Its launch weight is 45,815 kilograms. Thanks to the use of an inertial guidance system and GLONASS, the accuracy, known as CEP, is 250 metres. The RS-24 Yars missile has a range of 11,000 kilometres, allowing it to reach almost any point on the globe. The launcher is mounted on MZKT-79221 vehicles, which can reach speeds of up to 45 kilometres per hour and cover a distance of up to 500 kilometres on a single fueling.
