On November 1, 2023, Russia, conducted failed tests of the intercontinental ballistic missile RS-24 "Yars," which is a key component of the ground-based segment of Russia's strategic nuclear forces.
The launch of the "Yars" missile from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome (Arkhangelsk region) towards a target at the Kura test range (Kamchatka) was carried out by the combat crew of the 33rd Missile Army of the Strategic Missile Forces of the Russian Federation.
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the "Yars" missile deviated from its course, as it did during previous command-staff exercises of the strategic nuclear forces of Russia, on October 25, 2023.
Similarly, on October 25, 2023, a test launch from the submarine-launched ballistic missile RSM-56 "Bulava" ended unsuccessfully, reaffirming its unreliability.
Moscow also faces serious problems with the heavy silo-based ICBM RS-28 "Sarmat." This is one of the key projects in Russia's declared process of modernizing its strategic nuclear forces.
Russia has been developing the "Sarmat" missile since 2009. According to Moscow's initial plans, it was supposed to be in service five years ago, in 2018, but the date has been constantly postponed.
Ultimately, the "Sarmat" was only accepted into service in September 2023, after its first and only full-scale test, which was conducted in April of this year.
In comparison to the domestically manufactured ICBM RS-20 "Voevoda" in Ukraine, the missile "Sarmat," designed as its replacement, lacks any advantages in its design, payload, or methods for overcoming anti-ballistic missile defense. In essence, "Sarmat" is an underdeveloped, imperfect, and raw missile.
The aggressor state, Russia, continues to grapple with difficulties in improving its strategic nuclear forces, particularly its intentions to enhance the aerial component. As part of the partial modernization of Soviet-era bombers Tu-160 and Tu-95MS, Russians have the ability to overhaul 1-2 aircraft annually.
The planned delivery of new strategic bombers Tu-160M2 for 2023 has been postponed to a later date because Russians have not been able to resume production of the new version of the NK-32 engines.
All the aforementioned problems faced by the strategic nuclear forces of the aggressor state, Russia, are direct consequences of the civilized world's sanctions policy against Moscow for the war it instigated against Ukraine, as well as the inability of Russia's scientific, technical, and industrial base to produce the necessary components domestically to replace imported ones.
