Russian Strategic Missile Forces Bolster Defense with Advanced RS-24 Yars ICBMs in Kozelsky Unit.

Moscow, Russia, November 23, 2023 - The Kozelsky unit, a prominent division of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces, has marked a significant advancement in its defense capabilities by being the first to be equipped with the latest RS-24 Yars ICBMs (InterContinental Ballistic Missiles). This milestone was announced by the Russian Ministry of Defense, emphasizing the substantial enhancement in the combat readiness and strategic potential of the forces.
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An RS-24 Yars ICBM is loaded on the silo by a truck. (Picture source Russian MoD)

The RS-24 Yars, a sophisticated strategic complex, represents a pivotal shift in Russia's strategic defense arsenal. It features both mobile and silo-based configurations, utilizing solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles. This new system is slated to replace the older Topol and Topol-M complexes, signaling a leap in technological advancement.

The RS-24 Yars is a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that represents a significant advancement in Russia's strategic missile capabilities. It is designed to be versatile, with configurations available in both mobile and silo-based forms. The primary objective of the RS-24 Yars is to replace the older Topol and Topol-M missile systems within the Strategic Missile Forces. This upgrade is not just a replacement but a substantial enhancement in combat readiness and strategic potential.

The RS-24 Yars has a considerable operational range, estimated to be around 12,000 kilometers, allowing it to target distant regions across the globe. This range places it among the longest-range missiles in the world.

The payload of the RS-24 Yars is particularly noteworthy. It is equipped with a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) warhead. This means that a single missile can carry several nuclear warheads, each capable of being aimed at a different target. The exact number of warheads it can carry and their individual yield remain classified, but this MIRV capability significantly multiplies the missile's potential destructive power. The size of the warheads, combined with the missile's range and accuracy, makes the RS-24 Yars a formidable element in strategic deterrence.

Amidst these developments, the Strategic Missile Forces are also gearing up for the introduction of the RS-28 Sarmat ICBMs. These new missiles, which are to be housed in silos previously occupied by the RS-20V Voevoda silo-based ICBMs (known in NATO circles as SS-18 Satan), promise to be another significant addition to Russia's strategic missile capabilities. The first regiment armed with these formidable ICBMs is expected to commence combat duty in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, further bolstering the nation's defense posture.

This series of upgrades and introductions of new missile systems illustrates Russia's ongoing commitment to maintaining and enhancing its strategic deterrent capabilities. The RS-24 Yars, with its cutting-edge technology, is not just a replacement for older systems but a significant step forward in ensuring the country's defense readiness in an ever-evolving global security landscape.

In the broader context of Russia's strategic defense development, the RS-24 Yars is part of an ongoing effort to modernize and strengthen the nation's missile forces. Alongside the RS-24 Yars, the Strategic Missile Forces are also preparing for the deployment of the RS-28 Sarmat ICBMs, which will take over the silos from the RS-20V Voevoda ICBMs. This step is seen as a further boost to the country's defense capabilities. The first regiment equipped with the RS-24 Yars has already been deployed in the Kozelsky unit, marking the beginning of a new era in Russia's strategic missile force.

Defense News November 2023