Russia Positions New Nuclear Missile South of Moscow, Heightening Regional Tensions
The Kozelsky unit became the inaugural Russian strategic forces military unit to deploy the advanced "Yars" missiles in an underground facility.
As of Wednesday, November 22nd, the official Russian news agency, citing the Ministry of Defense, disclosed the deployment of a unit equipped with "Yars" intercontinental nuclear ballistic missiles at the Kozelsky base in the Kaluga region, located southwest of Moscow.
Russian military authorities assert that the Yars missile, with its nuclear warhead capability, possesses the capacity to breach the missile defense systems of the United States and NATO allies in Washington.
According to the report, the Kozelsky regiment represents the pioneering deployment of the new generation Yars missiles within Russia's strategic forces, housed in underground bases. Previous iterations of this missile had been stationed in mobile military units across the country.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin Palace spokesperson, recently dismissed allegations of Moscow's nuclear war preparations as "unreasonable," emphasizing Russia's prudent approach to its capabilities. Speaking to the MGIMO 360 channel affiliated with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Peskov criticized the "irresponsible statements" that have suggested the possibility of nuclear conflict over the past year.
He stated, "Russia, as a major and powerful nation, exercises great caution in utilizing its capabilities. It is regrettable that such narratives are employed against us."
Peskov expressed concern that the dissemination of such news generates fear and panic among individuals lacking sufficient knowledge of political and international affairs.
Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine in February 2022 has heightened tensions with the West, fueling apprehensions of potential military interventions in Europe.
