Vladimir Putin has recently overseen extensive military exercises involving more than 3,000 nuclear missile troops, aimed at achieving the highest level of combat readiness. Moscow made this announcement today, shedding light on Russia’s continued focus on strengthening its military capabilities.
These exercises, as captured in footage, featured the Tagil Rocket Division conducting drills in the Sverdlovsk region. Notably, the exercises included the deployment and maneuvering of Yars thermonuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) on mobile launchers. The Russian defense ministry’s TV channel, Zvezda, reported that these drills encompassed maneuvers on combat patrol routes within the Ural Mountains and tactics to counter Western air attacks on their nuclear arsenal. These developments occur against the backdrop of Putin’s ongoing conflict with Ukraine.
Zvezda claims that the training involved active electronic suppression techniques and intensive counter-sabotage measures, all in preparation for worst-case scenarios, ultimately striving for peak combat readiness. Over 300 pieces of military equipment were deployed, including the Yars missiles, boasting an impressive range of 6,835 miles.
The TV channel further elaborated, stating, “The missile regiments equipped with mobile Yars ground-based missile systems are actively changing their field positions. At the same time, they are developing new areas of combat patrols.” In an unsettling assertion, the channel claimed that the Yars missiles’ positions are securely concealed deep within Russia, with launchers potentially stationed anywhere in the country if required.
In addition to the Yars mobile missile system, Russia introduced its latest military innovation, the Listva remote demining vehicle. Lieutenant-General Andrei Burbin, Deputy Commander of Russian Strategic Missile Forces, mentioned the use of new equipment, special support units, engineering units, security measures, and defense strategies, all while highlighting the excellent training of the personnel involved.
Interfax, a Russian news agency headquartered in Moscow, reported that one of the primary objectives of these exercises was to assess the current state of the missile formation, its level of combat readiness, and the performance of commanding officers in achieving the training objectives set for 2023.
The Yars ICBM systems constitute a crucial component of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces, forming a significant part of their nuclear arsenal. These missiles are substantial, measuring 22.5 meters in length, weighing 54.6 US tons, and boasting an impressive accuracy rate of 150 meters. Additionally, they carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles.
These military maneuvers coincide with a disturbing escalation of hostilities in Ukraine, as Russian missiles and artillery heavily targeted Ukrainian cities early Thursday. The attacks resulted in fires, casualties, and individuals trapped under debris. This offensive marked Russia’s most significant military action in over a month and occurred on the International Day of Peace. It unfolded amid the United Nations General Assembly summit in New York, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly denounced Russia as “a terrorist state.”
