Russia suffered a major setback during an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test when a launch at the Yasnyy Test Range in the Orenburg Oblast resulted in an explosion just seconds after launch.
The missile rose to an altitude of between 200 and 400 meters before exploding in the air, creating a toxic purple cloud visible from a distance.
The incident occurred at one of Russia’s most strategically sensitive facilities: the Yasnyy launch facility, which includes both the spaceport and silos operated by the Strategic Missile Forces (RVSP). It is one of the few areas in the country capable of launching long-range ICBMs equipped with nuclear warheads.
+ Click here to see the video
According to the analyst Etienne’a Marcuse’a from the French think tank FRS, the missile that failed was RS-28 SarmatRussia’s newest heavy ICBM.
Marcuse wrote on platform
Prior to launch, a NOTAM (airspace prohibition/restriction) was issued covering the Yasnyy village area and the Kura training ground in Kamchatka – a traditional target for Russian ICBM test trajectories. This location had previously been used during the Avangard warhead campaign, but the current announcement pointed to a different silo that had recently been renovated and prepared for new tests.
Delayed program and mounting pressure
Marcuse emphasizes that after the destruction of the Sarmat silo in Plesetsk, it was expected that further tests would be carried out in places planned for the future operational deployment of the missile.
According to him, although it cannot be ruled out that the test could have concerned the Avangard system, it is much more logical that it was a Sarmat test, because the program is several years behind schedule and certification is urgently needed.
Meanwhile, old R-36M2 “Wojewoda” remain in service, even though they have significantly exceeded their service life, which was last extended in 2016. Maintaining these systems became especially difficult after 2014, when Ukraine — a traditional technical partner — stopped cooperating with Moscow.
“If this is indeed another Sarmat failure, it will have enormous consequences for the future of Russia’s nuclear deterrent,” the analyst said. “Replacement of the R-36M2 becomes even further away, and maintaining these obsolete systems becomes increasingly uncertain.”
Residents recorded the fall and explosion
The test failure was also noticed by local residents. On November 28, they recorded the fall and explosion of a rocket near the village of Yasnyj.
A unit of the 13th RVSP Missile Division is stationed in this area – one of the 11 points on Russian territory from which long-range ballistic missiles can be launched.
Source and photos: X (Twitter) – Etienne Marcuse @Etienne_Marcuz. Instagram @ukraine_defence. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
