Kremlin showcases strategic drill with Yars missile launch

The exercise was aimed at practicing the "procedures for operating and deploying nuclear weapons."

Russian state media released footage showing Putin listening to briefings from top defense officials and military leaders.

The first report came from Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, who said during a video conference with the Russian leader:

"Practical actions will be carried out by the Yars mobile missile system from the Plesetsk state test cosmodrome and the strategic nuclear submarine Bryansk of the Northern Fleet from the Barents Sea."

How Russia's nuclear drill unfolded

According to the Kremlin, the training included the launch of intercontinental and cruise missiles at the training ranges:

• A Yars missile was launched from the Plesetsk cosmodrome toward the Kura range in Kamchatka.

• The nuclear submarine Bryansk launched a Sineva missile from the Barents Sea.

Long-range Tu-95MS bombers, which Russia regularly uses for massive missile strikes on Ukraine, also took part in the drill, firing air-launched cruise missiles.

The Kremlin claimed after the exercise that all assigned tasks were successfully completed. The last similar drill took place a year ago.

What is known about the Yars missile system

Russian propagandists describe the Yars missile system as one of the most dangerous components of Russia's nuclear triad.

According to Russia, the range of the Yars missile is up to 12,000 kilometers. This missile system can carry between 3 and 6 nuclear warheads.

However, such claims typically reflect elements of Russian military propaganda.

Earlier, Russia had planned Yars missile launches in May this year, but something went wrong.

The Kremlin began training exercises involving Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles back in March of this year.