Russia Conducts Major Nuclear Drills, Successfully Tests 12,000 km-Range ‘Yars’ Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

In a powerful demonstration of its nuclear deterrence capabilities, Russia has conducted large-scale strategic nuclear drills, including the successful launch of the RS-24 ‘Yars’ intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The exercise was overseen by President Vladimir Putin, reaffirming Moscow’s readiness to respond to potential threats amid growing tensions with NATO and the West.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, the ‘Yars’ ICBM was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia and accurately hit its designated target at the Kura test range in Kamchatka, over 5,700 kilometers away. The test formed part of an extensive training of the country’s Strategic Nuclear Forces, involving land-based missile units, strategic bombers, and nuclear-capable submarines.

The RS-24 Yars, an advanced evolution of the Topol-M system, is a solid-fueled, road-mobile ICBM capable of carrying multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs). Each missile can carry up to four nuclear warheads, and with a range of around 12,000 kilometers, it is designed to penetrate modern missile defense systems. The Yars forms a crucial element of Russia’s nuclear triad, complementing submarine-launched missiles and long-range bombers.

During the drills, Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers also launched long-range cruise missiles, while nuclear submarines of the Northern Fleet performed ballistic missile launches from underwater positions. The coordinated exercise tested command and control systems for nuclear forces, ensuring readiness for both retaliatory and preventive strikes in the event of a strategic threat.

The Kremlin stated that the purpose of the exercise was to evaluate the “preparedness of all components of the nuclear deterrent” and to ensure reliable functioning of the state’s command infrastructure under simulated wartime conditions.

The timing of the drills comes as geopolitical tensions remain high over the ongoing war in Ukraine and NATO’s growing military presence in Eastern Europe. Western analysts view these exercises as a reminder of Russia’s extensive nuclear arsenal — estimated to include over 5,500 nuclear warheads, the largest in the world.

The ‘Yars’ missile test underscores Moscow’s continued investment in modernizing its strategic weapons, ensuring survivability, mobility, and precision in a potential nuclear exchange scenario. The successful launch, combined with the broader exercise, sends a clear signal of deterrence and strategic intent amid the evolving global security landscape.

In essence, Russia’s latest nuclear drill reflects both a technological validation of its ICBM capabilities and a political message to adversaries: its strategic nuclear forces remain fully operational, coordinated, and ready for any contingency.