MOSCOW, — Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces conducted a successful training-combat launch of a mobile, solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Plesetsk State Testing Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The missile was launched toward the Kura test range on the Kamchatka Peninsula, covering more than 6,700 kilometers (about 4,160 miles). The Defense Ministry said the training warheads reached the designated area and that all assigned tasks were completed. It also reported that the missile maintained its planned trajectory.
Before the launch, a mobile launcher battery was deployed to a remote, forested location. Video released by the Defense Ministry showed the missile launching from the site.
The ministry did not identify the specific missile model used in the August 28 launch. However, a similar launch in May 2026 involved the RS-24 Yars, a mobile, solid-fuel ICBM, which was launched from Plesetsk toward the Kura range during strategic forces exercises. A separate RS-28 Sarmat test was also conducted from Plesetsk around the same period.
The Defense Ministry said the main objective of the latest launch was to confirm the tactical, technical and flight characteristics of the missile system.
The launch followed reports of Ukrainian drone activity in the Arkhangelsk region on August 23, including near the Plesetsk area. Russian authorities said drones were intercepted and reported no injuries. On August 24, Russia also conducted a successful Soyuz-2.1b launch from Plesetsk carrying a military satellite into orbit.
Plesetsk is used by Russia for both military space launches and intercontinental ballistic missile testing. The latest launch was presented by the Russian Defense Ministry as a routine training activity intended to verify missile-system performance and the readiness of Strategic Missile Forces personnel.
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