Russia recently experienced a significant setback in its missile testing program at the Yasny launch complex located in the Orenburg region, near the Kazakhstan border. Footage from late November revealed that a missile, believed to be part of the RS-28 Sarmat system, exploded shortly after liftoff, producing a distinctive purple plume in the sky.
The video evidence shows the rocket ascending briefly before veering off course and plummeting back towards the ground, resulting in an explosion at a low altitude. Witnesses on the ground reported hearing a loud blast. However, regional officials stated that no evacuation procedures were initiated and did not provide specifics about which missile system was involved in the failed test.
A closer analysis conducted by Ukrainian defense outlet Defense Express suggested that the mishap was related to the RS-28 Sarmat super heavy intercontinental ballistic missile. Indicators for this conclusion included the silo infrastructure of Yasny, which is consistent with R-36 Scarp type missiles, the use of hypergolic propellants, and a lack of any scheduled space launches or strategic exercises, all suggesting a test of the RS-28 system had gone awry.
The purple-tinted smoke observed in the footage was particularly notable, as Defense Express highlighted that it is strongly associated with heptyl fuel. This fuel, known for its toxic and mutagenic properties, is used in conjunction with nitrogen tetroxide, another component of the propellant mix. The outlet pointed out that the coloration of the cloud is characteristic of missile tests involving these hazardous substances, echoing incidents tied to previous Proton and R-36 accidents.
Historically, documented tests of the RS-28 Sarmat have been limited, with only one previous test considered at least partially successful, according to reports.
Conversely, other sources, including the Ukrainian outlet Militarnyi, proposed an alternative narrative regarding the failed missile. They speculated that it might have been a UR-100N, or RS-18A Stiletto, potentially equipped with an Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle. However, since the UR-100N also utilizes a similar fuel mix to the Sarmat, distinguishing between the two based solely on visual and launch characteristics remains challenging.
The Yasny launch complex still houses older R-36M2 Voyevoda missiles alongside newer Avangard-equipped units, further complicating the identification of the missile that failed. As the situation unfolds, analysts continue to monitor the implications of this event on Russia’s strategic missile capabilities.
