The Strategic Missile Troops or Strategic Rocket Forces of the Russian Federation or RVSN RF are a military branch of the Russian Military that controls Russia’s land-based ICBMs. The Strategic Rocket Forces were created on December 17, 1959 as the main Soviet force used for attacking an enemy’s offensive nuclear weapons, military facilities, and industrial infrastructure, so today they celebtate their 52nd anniversary. Congratulations! Now we want to take you to the RVSN training center in Mirny and watch intercontinental ballistic missile launching in Plesetsk.

We are at Plesetsk Cosmodrome.

This is a mobile cafeteria.

The RT-2UTTKh ‘Topol-M’ is one of the most recent intercontinental ballistic missiles of Russia. Specifications: Weight: 47200 kg (104,000 lb); Length: 22.7 m (74.47 ft); Diameter: 1.9 m (6 ft 3 in); Warhead: Single 800 kt warhead; Engine: Three-stage solid propellant; Range: 11,000 km (6,800 mi); Speed: 10,800 mph (17,400 km/h); System: Inertial with GLONASS; Accuracy: 200 m CEP.

The ‘Topol’ damage-producing capability is comparable with 40 to 50 American bombs thrown on Japanese cities in 1945.

The personnel who successfiully fulfilled the task lined up at the launching site.

There are about 130 servicemen here.

These stars mean the number of launches made (hollow stars for each 10 launches and full starts for one lauch).

Special safety equipment protects the ‘Topol’, ‘Topol-M’ and ‘Yars’ from lightning strokes and short circuits.

‘Souvenirs’ left after launching are the size of a children’s swing!

We are in Mirny and this is the RVSN training center.

One of its combat duty support vehicle on MAZ-543 chassis.

Rocketeer cadets are being instructed.

One of the hangars where they store training and military equipment.

The combat duty support vehicle electric power station.