Russian Strategic Missile Crashes after Test Launch

A Russian intercontinental ballistic missile crashed seconds after launch at the Yasny range in the Orenburg region, exploding at an altitude of only 200–400 meters before falling back to the ground.

As per multiple reports, a purple cloud formed over the site, prompting concerns about toxic propellants linked to Russia’s liquid-fuel missile arsenal.

The Yasny facility hosts a Strategic Missile Forces base and a spaceport. Reports claimed that the purple plume matched the color produced by nitrogen tetroxide and unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine — fuels used in systems such as the R-36M2 Voevoda and the RS-28 Sarmat. The blast pattern resembled previous Sarmat failures, including a silo explosion at Plesetsk in September last year.

Other assessments suggested the missile could have been a UR-100N carrying an Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, citing its long-term presence at Yasny and equipment shown in earlier Russian Ministry of Defense footage. The 13th Missile Division stationed at the site operates long-range, nuclear-capable missiles, and Russian officials announced in late 2024 that Avangard-equipped regiments had completed rearmament there.

Video analysis indicated an onboard explosion shortly after liftoff, followed by loss of control and a ground impact. A secondary blast appeared to come from unburned liquid fuel, producing an orange cloud associated with nitrogen-based propellants.

Persistent test failures have raised questions about timelines and readiness despite Russian statements that Avangard-equipped regiments entered combat duty in 2023.