Russia’s Failed ICBM Launch: A Looming Enigma
In a shocking turn of events, Russia’s planned “training and combat” launch of the RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) appears to have been aborted, sparking widespread speculation about the reasons behind the sudden cancellation. According to Defence-Ua.com, the launch was scheduled to take place on the night of Monday, May 19, from an unusual location in the Sverdlovsk region, near the settlement of Svobodny.
The 433rd regiment of the 42nd division of the 31st army of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces is based in this area, approximately 25 km from the city of Nizhny Tagil, which has a population of around 350,000. As Defence-Ua.com reports, “any launch would have been filmed by local residents with a huge probability.” The close proximity to a populated area would have made it likely for residents to capture footage of the launch, which would have subsequently flooded social media platforms.
However, despite the anticipation, no video footage of the RS-24 Yars ICBM launch has been published so far. Defence-Ua.com notes that the main Russian test site for ICBMs is Kura in Kamchatka, and the flight of this missile should have been observed over a large area of Siberia as well as the Far East, from Khanty-Mansiysk to Magadan. The absence of any visual evidence has sparked concerns about the potential reasons behind the failed launch.
This is not the first time Russia has encountered difficulties with the RS-24 Yars ICBM. In 2023, the Russians failed to successfully launch the missile twice in a row, with both instances resulting in the missiles going off course. As Defence-Ua.com suggests, “any missile undergoes a pre-flight check, during which some shortcomings could be identified that could prevent the decision to launch the missile this time.” The failed launch comes at a sensitive time, just before negotiations between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump.
The Kremlin may be reluctant to showcase the limitations of its Strategic Nuclear Forces, particularly in the face of heightened tensions with the West. Defence-Ua.com speculates that “the Kremlin is unlikely to be interested in showing the incapacity of its so-called Strategic Nuclear Forces.” Furthermore, the possibility of an emergency situation during the first stage of the flight cannot be ruled out. Despite being a deep modernization of the RT-2PM2 Topol-M ICBM, the RS-24 Yars ICBM is not immune to component failures.
The RS-24 Yars ICBM is a crucial component of Russia’s nuclear deterrent, and any issues with its performance raise concerns about the country’s military capabilities. As Defence-Ua.com notes, “there is always a risk of failure of some components and systems of the missile.” This latest incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and risks associated with ICBM launches.
In related news, the RS-28 Sarmat ICBM exploded in the launch chamber at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Russian Federation at the end of September 2024. This latest setback raises questions about Russia’s ability to maintain a reliable and effective nuclear deterrent. As Defence-Ua.com reports, “Russia’s racing to expand solid-fuel engine production capacity, offering more S-400, Iskander and ICBM missiles.” The developments will likely be closely monitored by international observers, as they have significant implications for global security.
The Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense has closely monitored the situation, and further details are expected to emerge in the coming days. For now, the reasons behind the failed RS-24 Yars ICBM launch remain unclear, leaving room for speculation and concern about the state of Russia’s military capabilities.
Source: Defence-Ua.com
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