Russia begins missile tests at Kura range in Kamchatka

Missile tests have begun at the Kura testing range in Russia’s Kamchatka region, according to the regional government, with exercises scheduled to run from May 6 to May 10.

Authorities issued a public warning restricting access to the area during the testing period. “For the safety of the population, it is necessary to refrain from visiting the range and nearby territories during the specified period. The presence and movement of people and any types of equipment are prohibited,” the statement said, as quoted by Russian media.

The Kura range, operated by the Space Forces of Russia’s Aerospace Forces, is located approximately 500 kilometres north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and is commonly used for testing missile strikes against designated targets.

The announcement comes after recent updates to Russia’s strategic missile capabilities. In December, Strategic Missile Forces commander Colonel General Sergei Karakayev said in a press interview that the rearmament of the Kozelsk missile formation with modern Yars systems, equipped with silo-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, had been completed.

Previously, in October, Russia carried out a launch of a Yars intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk State Test Cosmodrome, targeting the Kura range in Kamchatka.

By Tamilla Hasanova