Russia conducts nuclear missile drills amid rising global tensions
The Russian Federation announced that it is currently conducting exercises involving mobile Yars nuclear rocket launchers, according to the Defense Romania portal. The Russians plan to conduct more similar exercises in the future.
11:53 AM EDT, July 7, 2024
Defense Romania recalls that just last month, Russia and Belarus conducted joint exercises with tactical nuclear weapons. At that time, it was a response to the perceived "threat from Western powers" by the Russians. Although Putin explained then that there is no need to use nuclear weapons to win in Ukraine, he does not rule out changes in the nuclear strategy of the Russian Federation.
Russian nuclear triad
The aforementioned Russian nuclear strategy is unique because it is based on the so-called nuclear triad. This means that Putin's arsenal allows the launch of nuclear missiles from land, sea, and air. Currently, only a few powers in the world maintain a full nuclear triad: the USA, China, India, and the Russian Federation.
What exactly will the Russian military exercises with nuclear weapons involve? According to the Russian defense ministry's statement, the exercises will involve Yars missiles that will fly over 62 miles and "conduct camouflage and rapid deployment exercises in at least two regions." It's worth noting that the RS-24 Yars missiles being launched now experienced a failure during exercises last year. At that time, the rocket deviated from its target during flight after leaving the cosmodrome.
Russians practice firing Yars missiles
The RS-24 ballistic missiles have a relatively short history. This weapon was first launched in May 2007 and was put into service three years later, in 2010. According to the Russian Federation's plan, it will be used until 2050.
Yars is a Russian solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of carrying up to six independent atomic warheads (MIRV) with a power of up to 300 kilotons each. The range of the RS-24 Yars is described as 6,835 miles, which means it can target almost anywhere in the world. The launch vehicles for the Yars launchers are MZKT-79221 vehicles, which can accelerate to a speed of 28 mph and travel up to 311 miles on a single trip.
The RS-24 Yars missiles themselves have a length of about 59 feet and 75 feet with the warhead. The diameter of this intercontinental ammunition, with a launch weight of 101,413 pounds, is just under 6 feet. The accuracy of the fire is ensured by a combination of inertial guidance and GLONASS, with the accuracy of the RS-24 Yars missile in terms of CEP described as 820 feet.
