Day after Putin's nuke war warning, Russia tests nuclear ballistic Yars missile

Russia's defence ministry announced a successful test fire of a Yars intercontinental ballistic nuclear missile on Friday, sources reported.

The objective of the launch was to confirm the tactical, technical, and flight characteristics of the modern missile system, the statement said, affirming the completion of all assigned tasks.

Putin, in a two-hour speech, attacked Western leaders as reckless and irresponsible, cautioning about the real threat of a nuclear conflict that could lead to the “destruction of our civilisation”.