On April 18, the Biden administration said it would halt U.S. antisatellite missile testing. The White House directive focuses on “direct-ascent” weapons that use interceptor missiles launched from Earth to hit a satellite target hundreds of miles into space. This announcement comes after Russia launched a missile to destroy a non-operational Soviet-era satellite in November...
On March 14, the New York Times reported that U.S. intelligence officials found decoy devices among Russian missiles fired into Ukraine. These decoys were released by Iskander-M short-range ballistic missiles, which Russia has fired on Ukraine from mobile launchers within Ukrainian territory. The decoys are filled with electronics and generate radio signals to throw off...
On December 2, Russia’s Defense Ministry posted a video showing the military had deployed Bastion coastal defense missile systems close to the Kuril Islands, territory claimed by both Russia and Japan. Russia deployed the Bastion to the island of Matua, located in the middle of the Kuril Island chain. The deployment follows past coastal defense...
On November 29, Russia’s Defense Ministry said it test fired a Zircon hypersonic cruise missile. Russia’s Admiral Gorshkov frigate launched the Zircon while in the White Sea, successfully striking a target 400 km away. The Zircon has a claimed range of 1,000 km and is planned to equip Russian cruisers, frigates, and submarines.
On November 15, Russia conducted an antisatellite missile test, reportedly using an S-500 Prometey interceptor to intercept a long-defunct Soviet signals intelligence satellite. The intercept created over 1,500 pieces of trackable debris. Russia last tested an antisatellite missile in December 2020, although that test did not involve a kinetic intercept.
On November 1, Russia concluded a large-scale air and missile defense exercise at a range in the country’s Astrakhan region. In a release, Russia’s Ministry of Defense stated the drills involved over 1,000 servicemembers and over 300 pieces of military hardware, including the S-400V4, Buk-M3, and Tor-M2 surface-to-air missile systems. During the drills, air defense...
On October 3 and 4, Russia’s defense ministry announced its first and second flight tests of a Zircon hypersonic missile from attack submarine Severodvinsk (K-560). In the first test, Russia’s navy fired the missile from the surfaced submarine in the Barents Sea, striking a “hypothetical sea target.” In a second test, announced October 4, Severodvinsk...
On July 7, Russia flight tested its S-500 missile defense system against a “high-speed ballistic target.” According to Russia’s defense ministry, the successful test “confirmed the specified tactical and technical characteristics” of the system, which will succeed the S-400 system for long-range missile defense. The event marks the first public display of the S-500, which...
In mid-June, Russia test fired a Kedr intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Plesetsk spaceport in the country’s northwest. The Kedr is planned to replace the RS-24 Yars ICBM around 2030. The Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology (MITT) currently oversees its design and development. Related Links: Russia successfully test-launches latest ICBM — source, TASS
What will it take for Russia and the United States to make progress on arms control? In announcing the Biden administration’s intent to extend the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START) for another five years, Secretary of State Anthony Blinkin offered a hint. He noted that the next negotiation must include all of Russian and American nuclear...
