Russia launches Yars, Sineva, and Bulava missiles during nuclear forces exercise
30 October, 2024 Yars mobile nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile. October 2024. Russia.
Frame from the video of the Ministry of Defense of Russia Russia conducted exercises of its strategic nuclear forces with the launch of various ballistic missiles. The Ministry of Defense of Russia stated that they used the means of the ground, naval, and aviation components of the strategic forces.
During the training, practical launches of the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome were carried out. The Sineva ballistic missile was also launched from the waters of the Barents Sea, and the Bulava ballistic missile from the waters of the Sea of Okhotsk.
Tu-95MS strategic bombers were involved in the military exercises, which launched air-launched cruise missiles. Russia has many missile systems and missiles in its arsenal. One of them is the Yars solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile.
A Russian RS-24 Yars ballistic missile during training. October 2024, Russia. Frame from the video of the Ministry of Defense of Russia
The RS-24 is designed to hit strategic facilities at a range of up to 11,000 kilometers.
Several stages of solid fuel engines power the missile. The R-29RMU2 Sineva intercontinental three-stage ballistic missile is part of the D-9RM missile system. This system is in service with the Project 667BDRM Delfin-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine.
It is stated that the range of the Sineva missile is 8,300-11,547 km, with a warhead weight of up to 2,800 kg. The warhead contains four nuclear warheads of 500 kilotons each.
A Russian Sineva ballistic missile during training. October 2024, Russia.
Frame from the video of the Ministry of Defense of Russia
The Bulava ballistic missile is also designed for submarines. It is stated that the Bulava missile is capable of carrying 6-10 warheads of 100-150 kt each. The maximum range of the missile is 9300 km.
A Russian Bulava ballistic missile during training.
October 2024, Russia.
Frame from a video by the Ministry of Defense of Russia
As previously reported, Russia plans to amend its nuclear deterrence doctrine to allow the use of nuclear weapons in response to attacks by non-nuclear states using conventional weapons.