The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Wednesday the deployment of a intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) called "Yars" at the Kozelsk base in the Kaluga region, southwest of Moscow.
Russia describes the "Yars" missile, developed in the 2000s and capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads, as one of its nuclear weapons capable of penetrating the missile defense systems held by the United States and its allies.
According to Russian media, the Kozelsk military unit, where the new missile was loaded into an underground silo, is the first unit in Russia's Strategic Missile Forces to undergo an upgrade to the Yars missiles in underground silos.
The missiles were initially deployed in mobile units.
Last month, Russia announced its withdrawal from the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) after the State Duma (lower house of parliament) gave its final approval.
The decision was made to restore parity in the field of nuclear weapons in light of the conflict in Ukraine and tensions with the West, according to a statement released by the State Duma.
The Russian State Duma's unanimous decision, with 156 votes in favor, paves the way for President Vladimir Putin to sign it into law.
This move coincided with Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu's announcement that Moscow was conducting exercises to prepare its forces for a "massive nuclear strike" in response to a potential hostile attack.
These exercises involved ballistic missile launches and the launch of Tu-95MS long-range bombers equipped with cruise missiles, according to Russia's Ria Novosti news agency.
The deployment of the "Yars" ICBM and Russia's withdrawal from the CTBT reflect escalating tensions in the realm of nuclear weapons, raising concerns about global stability and the possibility of a new arms race.
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