This footage purports to show a Russian ‘Yars’ intercontinental ballistic missile being loaded into a silo launcher in western Russia – the second in under a week.

The footage appears to show a ‘Yars’ launch vehicle under heavy escort as it makes its way to a base in western Russia’s Kaluga region.

The missile can then be seen being lowered into the launch silo, with the launch vehicle being tilted 90 degrees.

The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Thursday, 15th December, along with a statement claiming: “In the Kozelsky missile formation (Kaluga region), another, second in a week, Yars intercontinental ballistic missile was loaded into a silo launcher (silo).

“The missile is installed in the silo using a special transport and loading unit. The most complex technological operations last several hours.

“The Kozelsky missile formation is the first in the Strategic Missile Forces, which is being re-equipped with a stationary-based Yars missile system.

“The rearmament of the Strategic Missile Forces consists not only in equipping the troops with new missile systems, but also in creating a new social infrastructure that provides better conditions for training duty forces, carrying out combat duty and rest for personnel.

“The implementation of the measures planned for 2022 for the rearmament of the Strategic Missile Forces will increase the share of modern strategic missile systems and increase the grouping’s ability to carry out assigned tasks.”

We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.

The announcement comes after the Russian MoD released footage yesterday, on Wednesday, 14th December, purporting to show a first ‘Yars’ thermonuclear ‘ intercontinental ballistic missile being loaded into a silo launcher in western Russia.

Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 294th day of the war.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February and 15th December, Russia had lost about 96,590 personnel, 2,975 tanks, 5,946 armoured combat vehicles, 1,943 artillery units, 406 multiple launch rocket systems, 211 air defence systems, 281 warplanes, 264 helicopters, 1,644 drones, 592 cruise missiles, 16 warships, 4,563 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 172 units of special equipment.

Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.

The Kremlin spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, has said that any suggestion that there could be a “Christmas ceasefire” in Ukraine is “not on the agenda”.

The comments came after Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky called on G7 leaders earlier this week to support a peace solution that would begin with Russia withdrawing its troops from Ukraine this Christmas.

At least 13 Iranian-made drones were shot down over Kyiv on Wednesday, according to the Ukrainian military, with the authorities describing the attacks as a continuation of Russia’s assault against the country’s energy infrastructure.

But Ukrainian national grid operator Ukrenergo said that the Russian drone attacks on Kyiv and the surrounding area on Wednesday failed to do any damage to energy facilities “thanks to the brilliant work of the air defence forces”.

The Ukrainian regional administration building in the city of Kherson in southern Ukraine has been hit by multiple Russian rockets, according to Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential office.

The head of the United Kingdom’s Armed Forces, Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, has said that Russia is currently facing a “critical shortage” of artillery shells and that the Kremlin’s ability to carry out successful ground operations in Ukraine is “rapidly diminishing”.

The military chief added: “Russia faces a critical shortage of artillery munitions. This means that their ability to conduct successful offensive ground operations is rapidly diminishing.”