Russia has begun conducting exercises with its Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) system, involving over 3,000 military personnel and around 300 pieces of equipment. The manoeuvres are being carried out in three undisclosed Russian regions and are aimed at testing the missile system’s ability to counter modern aerial reconnaissance means. The Yars mobile ICBM system is part of Russia’s “invincible weapons” and is the mainstay of the ground-based component of its nuclear arsenal. The missile reportedly has an operational range of 12,000 km and can carry multiple nuclear warheads.
The Yars missile system has replaced the Topol system and is seen as another attempt by Moscow to demonstrate its nuclear strength. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2014, it has conducted numerous military exercises on its own or with other countries such as China or South Africa. It has also increased military training with Belarus, which borders both Russia and Ukraine, conducting a series of comprehensive drills over the past year.
The Yars mobile ICBM system is shrouded in secrecy, with few confirmed tactical and technical characteristics available. Military bloggers suggest that the missile system can carry multiple independently targetable nuclear warheads and can be mounted on truck carriers or deployed in silos. The missile’s reported range of 12,000 km makes it capable of reaching targets across the globe.
The exercises with the Yars missile system come at a time when tensions between Russia and the West are high. The US has accused Russia of violating the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) by deploying a missile system that breaches the treaty’s terms. Russia denies the allegations and has accused the US of violating the treaty itself. The INF treaty was signed in 1987 by the US and the Soviet Union and banned the deployment of ground-launched missiles with ranges between 500 km and 5,500 km.
The Yars missile system is part of Russia’s efforts to modernise its military and maintain its nuclear deterrent. The country’s military spending has increased significantly in recent years, with the government allocating more funds to defence than to education or healthcare. Russia’s military modernisation programme includes the development of new weapons systems, such as hypersonic missiles and unmanned underwater vehicles.
Russia’s military exercises with the Yars missile system are likely to be seen as a show of strength by Moscow. The country has been flexing its military muscles in recent years, conducting large-scale exercises and deploying troops to Syria and other countries. The exercises with the Yars missile system are a reminder to the West that Russia remains a nuclear power and is capable of defending itself against any potential threats.