The Russian Federation has conducted unsuccessful tests of the Yars mobile land-based missile systems and the Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile, which carry nuclear weapons. This was announced by the Main Directorate of Intelligence (GRU) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, reports RBC-Ukraine.
“Yars”
“On November 1, 2023, Russia conducted an unsuccessful test of an RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile, which is the main component of the ground-based arsenal of the Russian Federation’s strategic nuclear forces,” the GRU said.
“Yars” was launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in Arkhangelsk region to the Kura test site in Kamchatka. According to intelligence, the missile deviated exactly as it did in previous exercises on October 25, 2023.
“Bulava”
“On October 25, 2023, the test launch of the RSM-56 ballistic missile from the Borei missile cruiser also failed, which once again proved its unreliability,” the GRU added.
“Sarmat”
Moscow also has problems with the mine-based RS-28 Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile, which is one of the key projects in the process of modernizing Russia’s strategic nuclear forces.
“Sarmat” was created in 2009, which Moscow planned to receive into service “Sarmat” in 2018, but the date was constantly postponed. In the end, the missile was not accepted into service until September 2023, after the first and only full test took place in April of this year.
Russia is also struggling in its plans to improve the air components of its strategic nuclear forces. As part of the modernization of the Tu-160 and Tu-95S aircraft, the Russians have the opportunity to develop 1-2 aircraft per year, adds the Ukrainian media.
“The planned 2023 delivery of new Tu-160M2 strategic bombers has been postponed to a later date, as the Russians have not been able to resume production of the new version of the NK-32 engines,” notes the GRU press service.
