MOSCOW (Reuters) – Russia is testing the combat capability of a unit equipped with Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles in a region northwest of Moscow, news agencies cited the Russian Defense Ministry as saying on Friday.
The Yars missiles, which can be deployed from underground silos or mounted on mobile launchers, have a range of up to 11,000 km and can be equipped with multiple nuclear warheads.
This year, Russia has carried out a series of nuclear exercises that analysts say are aimed at deterring the West from further intervention in the war in Ukraine.
The latest one takes place during the same week as NATO’s annual nuclear exercise, as well as the presentation of Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky’s “victory plan” to his allies.
Vladimir Putin last month lowered the threshold for the use of nuclear weapons and warned the West that Russia could now use them in the event of a “massive” air attack, adding that any aggression against its territory supported by a state equipped with A nuclear weapon would be considered a joint attack.
As part of this exercise, a Russian unit will train to move and camouflage Yars missiles over distances of up to 100 km, while protecting them from attacks, the Defense Ministry was quoted as saying by the agency. Russian press Interfax.
Russia has already conducted two rounds of exercises involving Yars missile units in July.
(Reporting Mark Trevelyan; French version Etienne Breban; editing by Augustin Turpin)
Swiss
