Russia fails tests of Yars and Bulava intercontinental missiles

On 1 November, Russia conducted a failed test of the RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile, which is the main missile in the ground-based component of Russia's strategic nuclear forces. This was reported by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry.

"The launch of the missile " Yars " from the Plesetsk cosmodrome (Arkhangelsk region) at the target at the Kura range (Kamchatka) was carried out by the combat crew of the 33rd missile army of the Strategic Missile Forces of the Russian Armed Forces," the report says.

According to the GSD, the Yars missile went off course, just as it did during the previous command and staff exercise of Russia's strategic nuclear forces on 25 October 2023.

A test launch of the RSM-56 Bulava ballistic missile from the Borey submarine missile cruiser RSM-56 was similarly unsuccessful on 25 October.

Russia also has serious problems with the RS-28 Sarmat silo-based heavy ICBM, one of the key projects in the Russian Federation's announced modernisation of its strategic nuclear forces.

Russia has been producing the Sarmat missile since 2009. According to the original plans, it was supposed to be put into service 5 years ago - in 2018, but the date was constantly postponed.

"Sarmat" was only adopted for service in September 2023 after the first and only full-fledged test conducted in April this year.

Compared to the Ukraine-made RS-20 Voyevoda ICBM, the Sarmat missile lacks any advantages in design, warhead or methods of overcoming missile defences. In fact, Sarmat is an unfinished, imperfect, crude missile," the GSD said.

Russia's intentions to improve the air component of its strategic nuclear forces also remain insurmountable. As part of the partial modernisation of Soviet Tu-160 and Tu-95S bombers, the Russians are able to handle 1-2 aircraft annually.

Deliveries of new Tu-160M2 strategic bombers scheduled for 2023 have been postponed because the Russians have been unable to resume production of a new version of the NK-32 engines.