In a clear act of strategic intimidation, russia is preparing to conduct a so-called training-combat launch of the Yars intercontinental ballistic missile in the early hours of May 19, 2025. The move is widely seen as a demonstration aimed at pressuring Ukraine, as well as NATO and European Union member states.
According to a Ukrainian Defense Intelligence report, the launch will be carried out by the 433rd Regiment of the 42nd Division under the 31st Army of russia's Strategic Missile Forces. The missile, equipped with a mock warhead, will be fired from a mobile ground-based system near the settlement of Svobodny in russia's Sverdlovsk region.
Read more: North Korea’s Latest ICBM Raises Global Concerns with Striking Resemblance to russia’s Yars Missile
The RS-24 Yars is a three-stage, solid-fuel ICBM with a range exceeding 10,000 kilometers, capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads.
Although this launch will use a non-combat payload, the action underscores russia's continued reliance on nuclear brinkmanship as a tool of psychological warfare amid its ongoing war against Ukraine and deteriorating relations with the West.
As Defense Express previously reported, in a recent statement to Ukrinform, Major General Vadym Skibitskyi, Deputy Chief of the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, revealed that russia continues to maintain a robust missile production program. The focus remains on replenishing stockpiles depleted during recent missile strikes.
According to Skibitskyi, the highest-priority missiles in production include the Kh-101 and Kalibr units, which have been integral to russia’s arsenal. The replenishment effort reflects an ongoing commitment to ensuring that the country's missile capabilities are sustained despite significant usage on the battlefield.
Read more: Russia Suffers Setbacks in Strategic Nuclear Forces Modernization, Unsuccessful Tests of Yars, Bulava and Sarmat Missiles Raise Concerns
