Russia trains with Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles in Volga region

PHOTO CAPTION: Service members direct the movement of a Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missile system during maneuvers in the Republic of Mari El, Russia, in this still image from video released February 6, 2025. Russian Defense Ministry/Handout via REUTERS

MOSCOW (Reuters) -     Russia is practising stealth manoeuvres of Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles in its Volga region, the defence ministry said on Thursday.

The ministry published video of Yars missile launchers moving through a snowy forest.

The Yars is a nuclear missile that can be moved around on   truck carriers or deployed in silos. Russia staged similar manoeuvres last year as a nuclear warning to the West at a time of heightened confrontation over the war in Ukraine.

The ministry said that the missiles were being deployed on "combat patrol routes" under camouflage, moving in the field over distances of up to 100 km (62 miles).

Troops were practising defence against sabotage groups and spy patrols of a mock enemy, it said.

 (Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Mark Trevelyan/Guy Faulconbridge)