The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that, under the command of President Vladimir Putin, Russia’s land, sea, and air strategic deterrence forces conducted large-scale exercises on the 29th. This included launching three different types of intercontinental ballistic missiles from various locations, all of which accurately hit their intended targets, with “all specified performance parameters met.” What has attracted significant international attention is the question: What is the background of the three intercontinental missiles tested in this rare Russian nuclear strategic exercise?
On the 29th, Russia’s Sputnik News reported that during this exercise, the Russian military’s strategic nuclear submarine Prince Oleg launched a Bulava submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missile (SLBM) from the Sea of Okhotsk, while the Novomoskovsk strategic nuclear submarine launched a Sineva SLBM from the Barents Sea. Additionally, a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northwestern Russia. President Putin participated in the launch exercises remotely via video link from the Kremlin, stating, “I emphasize that we do not intend to engage in a new arms race, but we will maintain our nuclear forces at the necessary and sufficient level.”
According to available information, the Bulava intercontinental missile is Russia’s latest sea-based, three-stage solid-fuel SLBM, deployed on Borei-class strategic nuclear submarines. Development began in 1998, with testing initiated in 2004, resulting in over 40 test launches. In May this year, TASS reported a statement from Yuri Solomonov, the chief designer at the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, declaring the Bulava ICBM officially operational. With a range exceeding 9,000 kilometers and global strike capabilities, it can carry 6-10 independently targetable nuclear warheads. It also has the capability to launch from under Arctic ice, offering enhanced stealth. The Prince Oleg submarine is the first production model of the Borei-A class, commissioned in 2022. Currently, each Borei-class strategic submarine can carry up to 16 Bulava missiles, forming the backbone of Russia’s sea-based nuclear deterrent. In 2021, Rear Admiral Arkady Navalsky, then Chief of Staff of the Russian Pacific Fleet’s Submarine Forces, highlighted the Bulava’s ease of maintenance and maneuverability during the boost phase, making it effectively immune to any missile defense system.
In contrast to the global trend favoring solid-fuel SLBMs, the Sineva (also known as “Deep Blue,” NATO code: SS-N-23 “Skiff”) is a three-stage liquid-fuel ballistic missile, primarily equipped on the Russian Navy’s Delta III and Delta IV class strategic nuclear submarines. Unlike solid-fuel missiles, liquid-fuel ICBMs offer greater thrust and, consequently, a significantly extended range. Since the Soviet era, Russia’s sea-based SLBMs have predominantly used liquid fuel, supported by extensive technical experience. The Sineva missile, capable of carrying multiple independently targetable warheads, has a range of 8,300-11,500 kilometers and boasts strong anti-interference capabilities, reportedly able to penetrate U.S. missile defense systems. To minimize pre-launch preparation time, these liquid-fuel ICBMs typically use “storable liquid propellant,” allowing fuel to be sealed inside the missile in advance. Due to slower-than-expected progress in the development of the solid-fuel Bulava, the Russian Navy has undertaken multiple modernizations of the Sineva, which remains a critical component of Russia’s sea-based nuclear deterrent, with each Delta III/IV class submarine capable of carrying up to 16 Sineva missiles.
Unlike the naval-based Bulava and Sineva missiles, the Yars solid-fuel ICBM is a core asset of Russia’s Strategic Rocket Forces. It was successfully tested for the first time in May 2007 and entered service in 2010, boasting a range of up to 11,000 kilometers. According to Russian media, compared to the earlier Topol-M land-based ICBMs, the Yars missile retains maneuverable reentry capabilities, along with advanced warhead designs and features such as active jamming, decoys, and other counter-defense technologies. The Yars missile can carry 4-6 independently targetable nuclear warheads, allowing it to engage multiple targets simultaneously. There are two deployment methods for the Yars: a fixed silo-based option, which offers strong protection in reinforced concrete bunkers, and a mobile launch option, which utilizes highly mobile launch vehicles on highways for extensive maneuverability, ensuring high survivability.
In addition to these ICBMs, the Russian Ministry of Defense indicated that during this exercise, Russia’s strategic bombers, specifically the Tu-95MS, launched several air-based cruise missiles. As usual, Russian media did not specify the exact types of air-launched cruise missiles used in the exercise. However, publicly available information suggests that the Tu-95MS strategic bomber primarily carries Kh-101, Kh-102, and Kh-555 long-range cruise missiles. The Kh-555 is a new variant in the Kh-55 missile family with a maximum range exceeding 2,500 kilometers. The Kh-101 and Kh-102 are the next-generation stealthy air-launched cruise missiles; the Kh-101 is equipped with a conventional warhead for targeting high-value assets, while the Kh-102 carries a 250-kiloton nuclear warhead, forming a key component of Russia’s air-based nuclear deterrent.
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