Russia has successfully test-fired an RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile armed with multiple warheads from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The test, conducted during joint Russia-Belarus Zapad 2017 military drills, saw the experimental warheads hit their target area at a training ground in Kamchatka peninsula.

 

According to a statement released by the Russian Defense Ministry, the purpose of the launch was to test the reliability of the Yars missile system, adding that all tasks have been fulfilled. The Yars was introduced into service in 2010. As an upgraded version of the Topol-M ballistic missile, it has a potential range of 11,000 kilometers and can carry as many as 10 warheads. Currently, the Yars is on duty at five missile units.