Russia Plans Missile Launch Amid Trump-Putin Call — Ukraine Calls It “Intimidation Tactics”

Ukraine’s military intelligence service (GUR) has issued a warning that Russia is preparing to launch an RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) on the night of May 19.

According to the GUR, the missile launch is expected to originate near the village of Svobodny in Russia’s Sverdlovsk region, roughly 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine’s border.

The operation reportedly involves the 433rd regiment of the 42nd Tagil division, part of Russia’s 31st Strategic Missile Forces Army.

With a range exceeding 10,000 kilometers, the Yars system is capable of reaching targets across continents and is equipped with multiple independently targetable warheads—each capable of carrying up to 500 kilotons of nuclear yield.

Ukrainian Officials Call It an ‘Intimidation Tactic’

While Russia has not officially confirmed the launch, Ukrainian officials are framing the move as part of Moscow’s ongoing psychological and political pressure campaign aimed at Kyiv, NATO, and the EU.

“This could be an attempt to intimidate,” the GUR stated, noting that the language used—“training and combat launch”—goes beyond standard missile drills and could signal a calculated threat.

Russia has frequently used military exercises, particularly involving its Strategic Missile Forces, as geopolitical messaging tools in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

The Russian-aligned Telegram channel “War with Fakes”, often used to spread Kremlin talking points, indirectly confirmed the missile activity. It described the operation as “regular ICBM exercises” meant to maintain combat readiness, without mentioning any specific geopolitical motives or targets.

Still, Ukrainian intelligence insists the wording and timing suggest the move is meant to rattle Western leaders, especially given key diplomatic developments happening in parallel.

What Is the Yars Missile?

The RS-24 Yars, also known as “Topol-M’s successor”, is a solid-fuel, three-stage intercontinental ballistic missile designed for high mobility and survivability. It’s equipped with inertial navigation and satellite-based corrections, making it one of Russia’s most modern and precise strategic weapons.

Each missile can carry three to six warheads, each independently targetable, enabling it to hit multiple targets in one launch—adding to its strategic value and deterrent power.

The last publicized Yars test was in November 2024, launched from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome under the supervision of President Putin.