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On September 17, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation announced that units of the Russian army have started combat patrol maneuvers with the autonomous launchers of the RS-24 Yars strategic complexes. These maneuvers are being conducted by the Teikovsky Division of the Russian Missile Forces in the Ivanovo Region, located 155 miles [249 km] from Moscow.
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According to the announcement, “The crews of the RS-24 Yars mobile land-based missile systems are performing tasks that include 100-kilometer marches, unit dispersal with position changes, engineering equipment setup, camouflage organization, and combat guard.” Additionally, they are practicing countermeasures against sabotage and intelligence groups. The ministry noted that these exercises include intensive maneuvers along combat patrol routes.
Combat patrolling with the RS-24 Yars strategic complexes is a crucial operational practice for the Russian Strategic Missile Forces [RVSN]. These patrols involve moving and deploying mobile missile launchers, equipped with intercontinental ballistic missiles [ICBMs], to ensure a high state of combat readiness at all times.
The RS-24 Yars system stands out with its multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles [MIRVs], positioning it as a pivotal part of Russia’s nuclear deterrence. By frequently relocating these mobile launchers during patrols, the RVSN can stay under the radar and avoid adversary targeting, thereby ensuring a reliable retaliatory strike capability if a nuclear conflict arises.
The primary objectives of these patrols are to guarantee survivability and strategic flexibility while also maintaining the credibility of Russia’s nuclear deterrence. Regular patrols reduce the likelihood of missile launchers being targeted in preemptive strikes, adding an element of unpredictability to their whereabouts.
Moreover, these patrols serve as training and readiness exercises, testing the responsiveness of both personnel and systems under authentic operational scenarios. This practice reinforces the Russian nuclear triad, secured in the knowledge that a strong second-strike capability is a critical component of the country’s defense strategy.
U.S. military experts are raising alarms about Russia’s RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile [ICBM] system, especially its mobility and potential effectiveness. Defense specialist Kris Osborn points out that the Yars launchers’ ability to move makes them difficult to detect, posing a serious problem for U.S. missile defense strategies.
This problem worsens with the Yars system’s multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles [MIRVs], which enable a single missile to strike multiple targets at once. The potential durability and upgradability of the Yars system are also significant concerns for the U.S. as it contemplates the future of its own ICBM arsenal. These insights were shared in 2021 during a wider conversation on missile deterrence featured in The National Interest.
In a more recent update, General Gregory Guillot, who leads U.S. Northern Command [NORTHCOM], discussed the ongoing modernization of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces heading into 2024, prominently mentioning the role of Yars ICBMs.
He emphasized that the Yars system, alongside Russia’s other cutting-edge weapons, is purpose-built to challenge U.S. missile defenses and ensure Russia’s capacity to strike back following a potential first strike. These systems, including the Yars, significantly boost Russia’s operational flexibility across various launch environments, a factor the U.S. views as a major risk to its deterrence strategy.
The RS-24 Yars is a state-of-the-art intercontinental ballistic missile [ICBM] system developed by Russia to fortify its strategic nuclear arsenal. This three-stage, solid-fuel missile stretches approximately 22.5 meters in length with a diameter of 2 meters and weighs in at a launch weight of 49 tons. It boasts an impressive operational range of 10,000 to 12,000 kilometers, making it capable of hitting targets across continents.
One of the Yars’ standout features is its employment of multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles [MIRVs], allowing a single missile to carry up to four nuclear warheads, each directed at different targets.
The Yars missile system can be stationed in both silos and on mobile platforms, enhancing its adaptability and survival chances. The road-mobile version is especially tricky to track because it can be continuously relocated and concealed within Russia’s vast landscape. This mobility makes it strategically valuable, complicating any attempt at preemptive strikes by adversaries. Additionally, the missile’s ability to maneuver during flight and re-entry phases boosts its effectiveness against missile defense systems.
The RS-24 Yars is designed for longevity and future upgrades, ensuring it will be in service for many years. Its solid-fuel propulsion and advanced guidance systems offer high accuracy, making it a cornerstone of Russia’s nuclear deterrent. The missile’s design also accommodates potential upgrades to its warheads and countermeasures, keeping it relevant as global defense technologies evolve.
BULGARIAN MILITARY