Russia test-fires enhanced version of RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile

Russia successfully test-fired an enhanced version of RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Plesetsk spaceport in the Arkhangelsk Region on 6 February.

“At 11:31 a.m. Moscow time on February 6, a mobile Yars solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile armed with multiple warheads was test-fired from the Plesetsk state testing spaceport,” said in a statement of the Defense Ministry,” – said in a statement of the Defense Ministry.

Also noted that the warheads arrived at the designated area at the Kura practice range on the Kamchatka Peninsula, in the Russian Far East.

The purpose of the launch was to check tactical, technical and flight characteristics of the advanced intercontinental ballistic missile system.

The RS-24 Yars is a Russian strategic missile system comprising a mobile or silo-based solid-propellant intercontinental ballistic missile with MIRVed (multiple independently targetable vehicle) warheads. The ICBM was developed by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology under the supervision of Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences Yuri Solomonov. The Yars is a modification of the Topol-M missile system.

Russia has conducted a new test of the RS-24 Yars while tensions increased among Russia and USA after Donald Trump pulled the US out of a nuclear arms control treaty in place since the Cold War.

Last week, US President Donald Trump announced the US would leave the pact, which it has long accused the Russians of violating. Russia then did the same.

The moves have raised concerns about a new arms race.