A scheduled missile test by Russia ended in an embarrassing failure, highlighting ongoing technical issues within its military arsenal. An intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), launched from a silo on the southern steppe, was intended to reach a target nearly 4,000 miles away with a dummy warhead. Instead, the missile malfunctioned shortly after liftoff, crashing just a few hundred feet from the launch site.

The incident occurred near the Dombarovsky air base in Orenburg Oblast, close to the Russian-Kazakh border. Eyewitnesses and social media posts captured the moment the missile veered off course, tumbling upside down before losing power and crashing. A component was ejected during the failure, possibly part of a salvage or safety protocol, according to disarmament expert Pavel Podvig.

Military officials have remained silent about the accident, but the failure underscores persistent challenges in Russia’s missile program. Experts note that such malfunctions can undermine confidence in strategic deterrence, especially amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.

This incident raises questions about the reliability of Russia’s missile technology and the potential impact on its defense strategy moving forward.

David Nield

Dave is a freelance tech journalist with over 20 years covering gadgets, apps, and the web. From Stockport, England, he covers news, features, and reviews for TechRadar, focusing on phones, tablets, and wearables. He ensures top weekend breaking news and has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci, and others. He edited PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook for years. Read me on x.com or linkedin.