Failed Launch of Avangard System: Hypersonic Missile Exploded at Russian Test Site

Local residents recorded the fall and subsequent explosion of a rocket near the village of Yasny, Orenburg region of Russia. It was likely an UR-100N intercontinental ballistic missile with an Avangard hypersonic glide warhead.

This was reported by Militarnyi after analyzing published videos.

According to Astra, a cloud of purple smoke has risen over the city of Yasny in the Orenburg region, where the launch base of the same name is located. According to local residents, the cause was a failed rocket launch – it exploded in midair.

Yasne is home to a missile unit of the 13th Missile Division of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN). This is one of 11 points on the territory of the Russian Federation from which long-range ground-based missiles, including those equipped with nuclear warheads, can be launched.

What exactly fell?

According to the video, an explosion occurred on board the missile during the flight, causing it to lose control and crash to the ground. After that, the rest of the unused rocket fuel exploded.

The massive orange cloud that formed as a result indicates that it was a liquid-fuel rocket that uses nitrogen-containing compounds as fuel.

It is known that Soviet R-36M2 Voyevoda intercontinental ballistic missiles were used at this missile site. Starting in 2019, they began to be replaced by the Avangard missile system with a guided hypersonic warhead.

In 2022, one of the regiments of the 13th Division was rearmed with the Avangard system. At the end of 2024, the Russian media, citing the commander of the Strategic Missile Forces, Sergei Karakayev, reported that the rearmament of the Yasnenskyi regiment was completed.

“In 2023, the Strategic Missile Forces completed the combat duty of missile regiments equipped with the Avangard missile system, putting into operation mine launchers under the control of Bugay unified command posts,” the commander said.

It is known that two missiles can potentially serve as a carrier for the Avangard warhead – the Soviet UR-100N, which was produced until 1985 and is used as a cheap existing carrier, and the promising Russian intercontinental ballistic missile RS-28 Sarmat.

However, the use of the RS-28 Sarmat is unlikely, as despite Russia’s announcement that it will be adopted in 2023, it continues to be plagued by numerous catastrophic failures during test launches.

In addition, in the footage published by the Russian Ministry of Defense in 2020 as the loading of the Avangard complex, a characteristic UR-100N ICBM missile warhead is recognizable.