Russia has shown some of its thermonuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles being deployed for exercises in Siberia.
The images show a number of Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) vehicles emerging from hangars.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD), on Friday, 31st March, along with a statement claiming (in English): “Yars missile regiment of the Novosibirsk missile formation goes on combat patrols.”
The Russian MoD added: “The vehicles have left the special facilities and have begun their march.
“The Yars missile regiment will carry out many tasks and scenarios, including technical ones, while on active duty in the field.
“The missile battalion is supposed to change field positions and disperse in areas of mock contaminated terrain.
“Particular attention is paid to repelling attacks of sabotage and reconnaissance groups.
“In addition to the planned tasks and scenarios, the military also develop new combat patrolling areas. A total of around 300 vehicles are involved in the manoeuvres.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 401st day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 31st March 2023, Russia had lost about 173,360 personnel, 3,615 tanks, 6,977 armoured combat vehicles, 2,675 artillery units, 526 multiple launch rocket systems, 278 air defence systems, 306 warplanes, 291 helicopters, 2,248 drones, 911 cruise missiles, 18 warships, 5,521 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 294 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
Turkey’s parliament approved a bill on Thursday that will allow Finland to join NATO. Turkey was the last of 30 members of the alliance to ratify Finland’s membership bid.
The Russian authorities have arrested an American journalist who was working in the country and accused him of spying.
Evan Gershkovich was working for the Wall Street Journal when he was detained on Wednesday in Yekaterinburg.
The United States has said that it is “deeply concerned” over the arrest and is “in direct touch” with the Russian government.
Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov will reportedly chair a UN Security Council meeting in April when Russia takes over the body’s presidency.
Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, said that Russia taking over the UN Security Council presidency was the “worst joke ever for April Fools’ Day”.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has reportedly signed a decree that will allow the government to call up 147,000 Russian citizens for compulsory military service.
The UK Ministry of Defence has said that the Russian authorities are preparing to launch a large recruitment campaign to sign up for 147,000 new troops to fight in Ukraine.
The UK MoD added that Russia is likely to try to coerce people to sign up, saying that “it is highly unlikely that the campaign will attract 400,000 genuine volunteers”.
Russian citizen Alexei Moskalyov, 54, who fled house arrest after being given jail time for discrediting Russia as a result of his 13-year-old daughter Maria drawing anti-war pictures, has been arrested in Belarus.
