View source for Strategic Rocket Forces

{{Short description|Separate-troops branch of the Russian Armed Forces}}
{{about|the branch of the Russian Armed Forces|other uses|Strategic Rocket Forces (disambiguation)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Strategic Rocket Forces
| native_name                   = Ракетные войска стратегического назначения<br />''Raketnye voyska strategicheskogo naznacheniya''
| image                         =  Emblem of Strategic Rocket Forces of Russia.svg
| image_size                    = 200px
| caption                       = Emblem of the Strategic Rocket Forces
| start_date                    = {{start date and age|df=yes|1959|12|17}}
| country                       = {{unbulletedlist|{{flag|Russia}} (1992–present)|''{{flag|Commonwealth of Independent States|1992}}'' (1991–1992)|{{flag|Soviet Union}} (1959–1991)}}
| branch                        = {{Armed forces|Russia|size=23px}}
| type                          = Strategic missile force
| role                          = Strategic missile deterrence
| size                          = 50,000 personnel (2020)<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/IF11603.pdf | title=Russian Armed Forces: Military Modernization and Reforms | date=2010-07-20 | website=fas.org}}</ref>
| command_structure             = 
| garrison                      = [[Vlasikha, Moscow Oblast|Vlasikha]], 2.5 km northwest of [[Odintsovo]], [[Moscow Oblast]]
| garrison_label                = Headquarters
| commander1                    = {{flagicon image|Standart of the President RF.svg}} [[President of Russia|President]] [[Vladimir Putin]]
| commander1_label              = Supreme Commander-in-Chief
| commander2                    = {{flagicon image|Standart of the Russian Minister of Defence.svg}} [[Andrey Belousov]]
| commander2_label              = [[Minister of Defense (Russia)|Minister of Defense]]
| commander3                    = {{flagicon image|Flag of Russia's Commander of the Strategic Missile Forces.svg}} [[Colonel General]] [[Sergey Karakayev]]
| commander3_label              = [[Commander of the Strategic Rocket Forces|Commander]]
| patron                        = 
| motto                         = "''После нас - тишина''"
("After us - silence")
| march                         = [[March of the Artillerymen|Artillery March]] (Марш Артиллеристов) by [[Tikhon Khrennikov]]
| equipment                     = [[Ballistic missiles]], [[cruise missiles]]
| battles                       = [[Cuban Missile Crisis]]<br>[[Able Archer 83]]<br>[[Norwegian rocket incident]]<br>[[Russo-Ukrainian War]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-28-2024 |title=Institute for the Study of War |access-date=31 August 2024 |archive-date=31 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831044617/https://understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-august-28-2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| anniversaries                 = 17 December
<!-- Insignia -->| identification_symbol         = [[File:Flag of the Strategic Missile Forces.png|125px]]
| identification_symbol_label   = Flag
| identification_symbol_2       = [[File:Strategic Rocket Forces sleeve badge of the Russian Federation-1.svg|125px]]
| identification_symbol_2_label = Patch
| identification_symbol_3       = [[File:Medium emblem of the Ракетные войска стратегического назначения Российской Федерации.svg|125px]]
| identification_symbol_3_label = Middle Emblem
| identification_symbol_4       = [[File:Малая эмблема Ракетных войск стратегического назначения России.png|125px]]
| identification_symbol_4_label = Insignia
| website                       = [https://eng.mil.ru/en/structure/forces/strategic_rocket.htm Official website]
}}
{{Russian military}}
[[File:Sergey Karakaev.jpg|thumb|Sergei Karakayev (2015)]]
The '''Strategic Rocket Forces of the Russian Federation''' or the '''Strategic Missile Forces of the Russian Federation''' ('''RVSN RF'''; {{langx|ru|Ракетные войска стратегического назначения Российской Федерации (РВСН РФ)|lit=Strategic Purpose Rocketry Troops of the Russian Federation|Raketnye voyska strategicheskogo naznacheniya Rossiyskoy Federatsii}}) is a [[military branch|separate combat arm]] of the [[Russian Armed Forces]] that controls Russia's land-based [[intercontinental ballistic missile]]s (ICBMs). It was formerly part of the [[Soviet Armed Forces]] from 1959 to 1991.

The Strategic Rocket Forces was created on 17 December 1959 as part of the [[Soviet Armed Forces]] as the main force for operating all Soviet nuclear ground-based [[intercontinental ballistic missile|intercontinental]], [[intermediate-range ballistic missile]], and [[medium-range ballistic missile]] with ranges over 1,000 kilometers. After the [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union|Soviet Union collapsed]] in 1991, assets of the Strategic Rocket Forces were in the territories of several new states in addition to Russia, with armed nuclear missile silos in Belarus, Kazakhstan and [[Nuclear weapons and Ukraine|Ukraine]]. The three of them transferred their missiles to Russia for dismantling and they all joined the [[Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons|Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty]].

Complementary strategic forces within Russia include the [[Russian Aerospace Forces]]' [[Long Range Aviation]] and the [[Russian Navy]]'s [[ballistic missile submarine]]s. Together the three bodies form Russia's [[nuclear triad]].

== History ==
{{Further|Russia and weapons of mass destruction}}
The first Soviet rocket study unit was established in June 1946, by redesignating the 92nd [[Katyusha rocket launcher|Guards Mortar]] Regiment at [[Bad Berka]] in [[East Germany]] as the 22nd Brigade for Special Use of the [[Reserve of the Supreme High Command]].<ref>Michael Holm, [http://www.ww2.dk/new/rvsn/24gvmd.htm 24th Guards Rocket Division] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928095100/http://www.ww2.dk/new/rvsn/24gvmd.htm |date=September 28, 2011 }}, accessed December 2013.</ref> On October 18, 1947, the brigade conducted the first launch of the remanufactured former German [[V-2 rocket|A-4]] ballistic missile, or [[R-1 (missile)|R-1]], from the [[Kapustin Yar]] Range.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/agency/rvsn.htm|title=RVSN – Strategic Missile Forces – Russian and Soviet Nuclear Forces|website=fas.org|access-date=April 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710130532/https://fas.org/nuke/guide/russia/agency/rvsn.htm|archive-date=July 10, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In the early 1950s the 77th and 90th Brigades were formed to operate the R-1 (SS-1a 'Scunner'). The 54th and 56th Brigades were formed to conduct test launches of the [[R-2 (missile)|R-2]] (SS-2 'Sibling') at Kapustin Yar on June 1, 1952.

The 5th Scientific Research Proving Ground was established in 1955 in [[Kzyl-Orda Oblast]] at the town of Zarya later Leninsk, and finally in 1995 [[Baikonur]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.ww2.dk/new/rvsn/5niip.htm|title=5th Scientific Research Proving Ground|website=www.ww2.dk}}</ref> Also established that year was the 43rd Independent Scientific Experimental Station ([[Klyuchi]], [[Kamchatka Krai]]) as an outstation of the Baikonur test site. Two years later "Object Angara" was formed at [[Plesetsk]], Arkhangelsk Oblast, which after another name change in 1959 eventually became the [[Plesetsk Cosmodrome|53rd Scientific Research Proving Ground]] in 1963.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ww2.dk/new/rvsn/53niip.htm | title=53rd Scientific Research Proving Ground }}</ref>

From 1959 the Soviets introduced a number of [[intercontinental ballistic missile]]s (ICBMs) into service, including the [[R-12 (missile)|R-12]] (SS-4 'Sandal'), the [[R-7 Semyorka|R-7]] (SS-6 'Sapwood'), the [[R-16 (missile)|R-16]] (SS-7 'Saddler'), the [[R-9 Desna|R-9]] (SS-8 'Sasin'), the [[R-26 (missile)|R-26]] (given the NATO reporting name SS-8 'Sasin' due to incorrect identification as the R-9), the [[R-36 (missile)|R-36]] (SS-9 'Scarp'), and the [[RT-21 Temp 2S|RT-21]] (SS-16 'Sinner'), which was possibly never made fully operational.

By 1990 all early types of missiles had been retired from service. In 1990, the Strategic Missile Forces were officially established as a service branch of the Armed Forces under the direct control of the Defense Ministry. The date of its formal foundation, December 17, is celebrated as Strategic Missile Forces Day.

Two rocket armies were formed in 1960. The [[43rd Rocket Army]] and the [[50th Rocket Army]] were formed from the previous 43rd and 50th Air Armies of the [[Long Range Aviation]].

During a test of the [[R-16 (missile)|R-16 ICBM]] on October 24, 1960, the test missile exploded on the pad, killing the first commander of the SRF, [[Chief Marshal]] of Artillery [[Mitrofan Ivanovich Nedelin]]. This disaster, the details of which were concealed for decades, became known as the [[Nedelin catastrophe]]. He was succeeded by [[Marshal of the Soviet Union]] [[Kirill Moskalenko]] who was in turn quickly succeeded by Marshal [[Sergey Biryuzov]].<ref name=Holm /> Under Marshal Вiryuzov the SRF deployed missiles to Cuba in 1962 as part of [[Operation Anadyr]]. 36 [[R-12 (missile)|R-12]] [[intermediate range ballistic missile]]s were sent to Cuba, initiating the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]]. The 43rd Guards Missile Division of 43rd Rocket Army manned the missiles while in Cuba.<ref>{{Cite web | title=To the Chairman of the Defense Council | publisher=National Security Archive | url=http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB14/doc18.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100808020830/http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/NSAEBB/NSAEBB14/doc18.htm | archive-date=August 8, 2010 }}</ref>

Marshal [[Nikolay Ivanovich Krylov|Nikolai Krylov]] took over in March 1963 and served until February 1972. During this time French President [[Charles de Gaulle]] visited the Strategic Missile Forces in 1966. Together with NI Krylov, he visited a missile division in Novosibirsk, and then at the invitation of Leonid Brezhnev participated in a demonstration missile launch at the [[Baikonur Cosmodrome]] in the [[Kazakh SSR]]. Chief Marshal of Artillery Vladimir Fedorovich Tolubko commanded the SRF from April 12, 1972, to July 10, 1985. Tolubko emphasised raising the physical fitness standards within the SRF and in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Strategic Rocket Forces began to field the new UR-100 (SS-11 'Sego') and UR-100N (SS-19 'Stilleto') ICBMs beginning with the [[43rd Rocket Army]] in the [[Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic|Ukrainian SSR]], providing them with longer range and more accurate missiles. He was succeeded by General of the Army Yury Pavlovich Maksimov, who was in command from July 10, 1985, to August 19, 1992.

According to a 1980 [[TIME Magazine]] article citing analysts from [[RAND Corporation]], [[Demographics of the Soviet Union|Soviet non-Slavs]] were generally barred from joining the Strategic Missile Forces because of suspicions about the loyalty of ethnic minorities to the state.<ref>Machine The U.S.S.R.: Moscow's Military Machine, ''[[TIME Magazine]]'', June 23, 1980</ref> Those who served in the Strategic Rocket Forces had better quality of living, food and also higher salaries than the ones paid to those serving in the [[Soviet Army]]. The majority of new recruits has, since its inception, consisted of mainly college and university graduates.

In 1989 the Strategic Missile Forces had over 1,400 ICBMs, 300 launch control centers, and twenty-eight missile bases.<ref>[http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd/cstdy:@field(DOCID+su0469) Library of Congress Soviet Union Country Study] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151018221737/http://lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?frd%2Fcstdy%3A%40field%28DOCID+su0469%29 |date=October 18, 2015}}, 1989</ref> The SMT operated [[RSD-10 Pioneer|RSD-10]] (SS-20 'Saber') intermediate-range ballistic missiles (IRBMs) and [[R-12 Dvina|R-12]] (SS-4 'Sandal') medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs). Two-thirds of the road-mobile Soviet RSD-10 force was based in the western Soviet Union and was aimed at Western Europe.

One-third of the force was located east of the Ural Mountains and was targeted primarily against China. Older R-12 missiles were deployed at fixed sites in the western Soviet Union. The [[Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty]], signed in December 1987, called for the elimination of all 553 Soviet RSD-10 and R-12 missiles within three years. As of mid-1989, over 50% of RSD-10 and R-12 missiles had been eliminated.

By 1990 the Soviet Union had seven types of operational ICBMs. About 50% were heavy [[R-36M]] (SS-18 'Satan') and [[UR-100N]] (SS-19 'Stiletto') ICBMs, which carried 80% of the country's land-based ICBM warheads. By this time it was producing new mobile, and hence survivable ICBMs, the [[RT-23 Molodets|RT-23]] (SS-24 'Scalpel') and [[RT-2PM Topol|RT-2PM]] (SS-25 'Sickle').<ref name="ReferenceA">IISS Military Balance 1990–91, p.34</ref>

In 1990, with the R-12 apparently fully retired, the IISS reported that there were 350 [[UR-100]]s (SS-11 'Sego,' Mod 2/3), 60 [[RT-2]]s (SS-13 'Savage') still in service in one missile field, 75 [[UR-100MR]]s (SS-17 'Spanker,' Mod 3, with 4 MIRV), 308 R-36Ms (mostly Mod 4 with 10 MIRV), 320 UR-100Ns (mostly Mod 3 with 6 MIRV), some 60 RT-23s (silo and rail-mobile), and some 225 RT-2PMs (mobile).<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

'''Composition of the Strategic Missile Forces 1960–1991'''<ref>{{cite book 
  | last = Feskov
  | first = V.I.
  |author2=Kalashnikov, K.A. |author3=Golikov, V.I. 
  | title = The Soviet Army in the Years of the Cold War 1945–91
  | publisher= Tomsk University Publishing House
  | year = 2004
  | location = Tomsk
  | page = 132
  | isbn = 5-7511-1819-7}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Formation
!Headquarters Location
!Year formed as Corps
!Year formed as Army
!Year disbanded<ref name=Holm />
!Divisions
|-
|[[27th Guards Rocket Army]]||HQ [[Vladimir, Russia|Vladimir]], [[Moscow Military District]]||Sept. 1, 1959 ||1970 ||Still active ||[[7th Guards Rocket Division]], [[28th Guards Rocket Division]], (32 <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ww2.dk/new/rvsn/32md.htm |title=32nd Missile Division |publisher=Ww2.dk |access-date=2012-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928095554/http://www.ww2.dk/new/rvsn/32md.htm |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>), [[54th Guards Rocket Division]], [[60th Rocket Division]]
|-
|[[31st Rocket Army]] ||Orenburg, Urals Military District ||Sept. 5, 1965 || 1970 ||Still active ||[[8th Rocket Division|8th]], [[13th Red Banner Rocket Division|13th]], [[14th Rocket Division|14th]], ([[41st Guards Rocket Division|41st Guards]]), [[42nd Rocket Division|42nd]], 50, [[52nd Rocket Division|52nd]], (55), 59
|-
|[[33rd Guards Rocket Army]] ||[[Omsk]], [[Siberian Military District]] ||  1962 ||1970 ||Still active  ||23, (34), 35th, 36th Guards, 38, 39th Guards, 57, 62 
|-
|[[43rd Rocket Army]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nti.org/db/nisprofs/ukraine/forasst/fundukr.htm |title= Ukraine: Foreign Assistance:The CTR Program in Ukraine|website=www.nti.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101111015232/http://www.nti.org/db/nisprofs/ukraine/forasst/fundukr.htm |archive-date=November 11, 2010}}</ref> ||[[Vinnitsa]], [[Kiev Military District]] || {{center|—}} ||1960 ||May 8, 1996 ||19 ([[Khmelnytskyi, Ukraine|Khmelnitsky]]), 37th Guards ([[Lutsk]]), 43 ([[Kremenchug]]), [[44th Rocket Division|44]] ([[Kolomyia]], Ivano-Frankovsk Oblast, disbanded March 1990; [[46th Rocket Division|46]] ([[Pervomaisk, Mykolaiv Oblast]])
|-
|[[50th Rocket Army]]||[[Smolensk]], [[Belorussian Military District]] || {{center|—}} || 1960 ||June 30, 1990 ||1988:<ref name=Holm /> 7th Guards, 24th Guards ([[Gvardeysk]], Kaliningrad Oblast),<ref>Previously 92 BON, then given the combined-arms designation of 22nd RVGK special-purpose brigade, then 72nd RVGK Engineer Brigade, and in 1960 the 24th Guards Division of the RVSN was formed on its basis. http://www.ww2.dk/new/rvsn/24gvmd.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928095100/http://www.ww2.dk/new/rvsn/24gvmd.htm |date=September 28, 2011 }}</ref> 31st Guards (former 83rd Guards Bryansko-Berlinskaya Aviation (Missile) Division, renumbered July 1, 1960), 32nd (Postavy, Vitebsk Oblast), 40th, [[49th Guards Rocket Division|49th Guards]] ([[Lida]], [[Grodno Region]], 1963 to 1990), 58th (Karmelava, Lithuania) 
|-
|[[53rd Rocket Army]]<ref>Formed Chita in 1970 from the 8th Independent Missile Corps, under Colonel-General Yury Zabegaylov. Included 45th Rocket Division (disbanded 1970).</ref>  ||[[Chita, Zabaykalsky Krai|Chita]], [[Transbaikal Military District]]|| 1962 || June 8, 1970 || Sept. 16, 2002 ||1988:<ref name=Holm /> [[4th Rocket Division]] ([[Drovyanaya]], [[Chita Oblast]]), [[23rd Guards Rocket Division]] ([[Kansk]], assigned 1983–2002), 27th Rocket Division ([[Svobodny Cosmodrome|Svobodnyy]], [[Amur Oblast]]), 29th, 36th Guards, 47th Rocket Division ([[Olovyannaya]], [[Chita Oblast]])<ref>http://www.ww2.dk/new/rvsn/47md.htm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928095251/http://www.ww2.dk/new/rvsn/47md.htm |date=September 28, 2011 }} 47th Missile Division</ref> 
|}

RSVN training establishments included:<ref>Michael Holm, [https://www.ww2.dk/new/rvsn/rvsnschools.htm RSVN Schools]</ref>
*the [[Peter the Great Military Academy of the Strategic Missile Forces]] in Moscow;
*the Military Engineering Red Banner Institute imeni A.F. Mozhayskiy (VIKI) in Leningrad; 
*the Kharkov Higher Military Command Engineering School Missile Forces imeni Marshal of the Soviet Union N.I. Krylov
*the Krasnodar Higher Military Command Engineering School Missile Forces (KVVKIU) (1982–1998)
*the [[Perm Higher Military Command Engineering Red Banner School Missile Forces]] ([[:ru:Пермский военный институт ракетных войск]])
*the Riga Higher Military Political Red Banner School imeni Marshal of the Soviet Union S.S. Biryuzov (under the SRF from 1959 to 1993)
*the Rostov Higher Military Command Engineering School Missile Forces (RVVKIU) (1959 onwards)
*the [[Saratov Higher Military Command and Engineering School of Missile Forces]] (1959–2003 & 2024 onwards)
*the Serpukhov Higher Military Command Engineering School Missile Forces imeni Leninskiy Komsomol (SVVKU)

== Post Soviet Union ==
Like most of the Russian Armed Forces, the Strategic Missile Forces had limited access to resources for new equipment in the [[Boris Yeltsin|Yeltsin]] era.<!-- Yeltsin was some time ago. --> However, the Russian government made a priority of ensuring that the Missile Forces received new missiles to phase out older, less-reliable systems, and to incorporate newer capabilities in the face of international threats to the viability of the nuclear deterrent effect provided by their missiles. In particular the development of missile defense systems in the United States.

In 1995, the "Strategic Missile Forces Day" and "Military Space Forces Day" were created. On July 16, 1997, President Boris Yeltsin signed a decree incorporating the [[Russian Space Forces]] and the Space Missile Defence Forces (Russian: Ракетно-космической обороны) into the SMT.<ref>Greg Austin and Alexiy D. Muraviev, The Armed Forces of Russia in Asia, Tauris, 2001, p.185-6</ref> In doing so, 'nearly 60' military units and establishments were dissolved. However, four years later, on June 1, 2001, the [[Russian Space Forces]] were reformed as a separate branch of service from the SMT.

[[Minister of Defence]] Marshal of the Russian Federation [[Igor Sergeyev|Igor Sergeev]], a former commander of the SMT from August 19, 1992 – May 22, 1997, played a major role in assuring funding for his former service.<ref name=Holm>Mike Holm, [http://www.ww2.dk/new/rvsn/rvsn.htm Strategic Missile Forces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101201025156/http://www.ww2.dk/new/rvsn/rvsn.htm |date=December 1, 2010 }}</ref> He was succeeded by General of the Army [[Vladimir Yakovlev (general)|Vladimir Yakovlev]], who commanded the SMT from June 1997 until April 27, 2001. Yakovlev was succeeded by [[Colonel General]] [[Nikolay Solovtsov]].{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

In the early 2000s, Chief of the General Staff Army General [[Anatoly Kvashnin]] decided to downgrade the status of the Strategic Missile Forces from a branch of the armed forces to an independent combat arm. This was completed despite the opposition of Defense Minister Marshal Igor Sergeyev.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gavrilov |first=Yuri |date=20 July 2004 |newspaper=[[Rossiyskaya Gazeta]] |title=Президент поменял "силовиков" |trans-title=President changed "siloviks" |language=ru |url=https://rg.ru/2004/07/20/siloviki.html }}</ref>

Solovtsov was dismissed in July–August 2009. Speculation over why Solovtsov was dismissed included opposition to further cuts in deployed nuclear ballistic missile warheads below the April 2009 figure of 1,500, the fact that he had reached the retirement age of 60, despite that he had recently been extended another year's service, or the failure of the [[Russian Navy|Navy's]] [[Bulava]] missile).{{citation needed|date=February 2023}}

After only a year, [[Lieutenant General]] Andrey Shvaichenko, appointed on August 3, 2009, by President [[Dmitry Medvedev]], was replaced. The current commander of the Strategic Missile Forces, Colonel General [[Sergey Karakayev]], was appointed to the post by a presidential decree of June 22, 2010.<ref name=PodvigSRF>Pavel Podvig, [http://russianforces.org/missiles/ Russian Strategic Missile Forces] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514085655/http://russianforces.org/missiles/ |date=May 14, 2011 }}, accessed September 2010</ref><ref name="krem">{{cite web|url=http://pravo.gov.ru:8080/page.aspx?23649|script-title=ru:Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 09.08.2012 № 1141 "О присвоении воинских званий высших офицеров военнослужащим Вооруженных Сил Российской Федерации"|trans-title=Decree of the President of the Russian Federation dated 09.08.2012 number 1141 "About the assignment of ranks of senior officers of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation"|publisher=Kremlin.ru|date=9 August 2012|language=ru|access-date=14 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105112835/http://pravo.gov.ru:8080/page.aspx?23649|archive-date=November 5, 2013|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

The RVSN headquarters has a special sledgehammer that can be used to gain access to the launch codes if the commander feels the need to use it or if ordered directly, but does not have normal access to the safe.{{citation needed|date=February 2023}} In 2020, the Strategic Missile Forces completed switching to digital information transmission technology.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2021/0111/074061153/detail.shtml|title=ЦАМТО / / В 2020 году РВСН полностью перешли на цифровые технологии передачи информации|website=armstrade.org}}</ref>

==Composition since 2010s==
[[File:Exercise of Strategic Missile Forces 01.jpg|thumb|250px|A [[RS-24 Yars]] missile system of the 39th Guards Missile Division during a command post exercise in 2017.]]
[[File:Exercise of Strategic Missile Forces 10.jpg|thumb|Strategic Rocket Forces infantry during a [[military exercise]].]]
[[File:RVSN IMG 1398.JPG|thumb|right|200px|A launch authorization device]]

The main RVSN command post is at [[Kuntsevo District|Kuntsevo]] in the suburbs of Moscow. The alternate command post is at [[Kosvinsky Kamen|Kosvinsky Mountain]] in the [[Urals]].<ref>Jane's Defence Weekly June 25, 1994, 32, via Austin and Muraviev, The Armed Forces of Russia in Asia, 2001.</ref>

Female cadets have started to join the Peter the Great Strategic Missile Forces Academy. In the past, only men were allowed to serve in the Missile Forces. {{citation needed|date=February 2023}} RVSN institutes also exist at [[Serpukhov]] and [[Rostov-on-Don]]. An ICBM test impact range is located in the Far East, the [[Kura Test Range]]. This has been under [[Russian Aerospace Defence Forces|Aerospace Defence Forces]]' command since 2010. {{citation needed|date=August 2012}}

The Strategic Missile Forces operate four distinct missile systems. The oldest system is the silo-based [[SS-18|R-36M2 / SS-18 ''Satan'']]. It carries ten warheads. The last missile will be in service until 2020.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Topol might stay in service until 2019 |url=http://russianforces.org/blog/2011/10/topol_might_stay_in_service_un.shtml |title=Topol might stay in service until 2019 - Blog - Russian strategic nuclear forces |journal=Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces |date=October 28, 2011 |publisher=Russianforces.org |access-date=2012-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203151024/http://russianforces.org/blog/2011/10/topol_might_stay_in_service_un.shtml |archive-date=February 3, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref><ref name="Launch of Topol to confirm missile life extension">{{cite journal |author=Launch of Topol to confirm missile life extension |url=http://russianforces.org/blog/2011/11/launch_of_topol_to_confirm_mis.shtml |title=Launch of Topol to confirm missile life extension - Blog - Russian strategic nuclear forces |journal=Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces |date=November 3, 2011 |publisher=Russianforces.org |access-date=2012-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203161424/http://russianforces.org/blog/2011/11/launch_of_topol_to_confirm_mis.shtml |archive-date=February 3, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref>{{update inline|date=December 2022}}

The second system is the silo-based [[UR-100N|UR-100NUTTH / SS-19 ''Stiletto'']]. The last ''Stiletto'' missiles in service with six warheads each will be removed by 2019. Two UR-100NUTTH missiles are still believed to be active with [[Avangard (hypersonic glide vehicle)|Avangard HGVs]] as of 2024.

A new missile entering service is the [[RT-2UTTH Topol-M|RT-2UTTH Topol-M / SS-27 ''Sickle B'']] with single warhead, of which 60 are silo-based and 18 are mobile. Some new missiles will be added in the future. The first upgraded Topol-M called [[RS-24 Yars]], carrying three warheads, was commissioned in 2010. In July 2011 the first mobile regiment with nine missiles was completed.<ref name=Podvig7-2011>{{cite journal |author=Deployment of the first full regiment of RS-24 is completed |url=http://russianforces.org/blog/2011/07/deployment_of_the_first_full_r.shtml |title=Deployment of the first full regiment of RS-24 is completed - Blog - Russian strategic nuclear forces |journal=Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces |date=July 7, 2011 |publisher=Russianforces.org |access-date=2012-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806032435/http://russianforces.org/blog/2011/07/deployment_of_the_first_full_r.shtml |archive-date=August 6, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> From 2012 to 2017, about 80 ICBMs were placed in active duty.<ref>{{cite web|last=Path|first=Neal|date=2020-06-05|title=Russia sets up ballistic missile early warning satellite grouping to monitor the US|url=https://internationalinsider.org/russia-sets-up-ballistic-missile-early-warning-satellite-grouping-to-monitor-the-us/|access-date=2020-06-05|website=International Insider|language=en-GB|archive-date=June 5, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605105526/https://internationalinsider.org/russia-sets-up-ballistic-missile-early-warning-satellite-grouping-to-monitor-the-us/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://eng.mil.ru/en/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12149743@egNews|title=Remarks by Chief of General Staff of the Russian Federation General of the Army Valery Gerasimov at the Russian Defence Ministry's board session (November 7, 2017) : Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation|website=eng.mil.ru|access-date=April 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109191754/http://eng.mil.ru/en/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12149743@egNews|archive-date=November 9, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref> The RF Defense Minister said in December 2022 that 91.3% of the country's nuclear forces was modern.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tass.com/defense/1292517|title = Shoigu speaks about Russian army's breakthrough at educational marathon New Knowledge}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://tass.com/defense/1378715|title = Russian nuclear trifecta modernization level highest in history, defense minister says}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2022/1221/175570917/detail.shtml | title=ЦАМТО / / Сергей Шойгу подвел итоги деятельности ВС РФ в 2022 году и определил задачи на очередной период }}</ref> 3 missile regiments rearmed in 2023.<ref>{{cite web | title=Russian Strategic Missile Forces raise proportion of new-generation missile systems to 88% | website=tass.com | url=https://tass.com/defense/1722171 | language=en | ref={{sfnref | tass.com}} | access-date=2023-12-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=Another missile regiment goes on combat duty in Russia — Strategic Missile Forces chief | website=tass.com | url=https://tass.com/defense/1722169 | language=en | ref={{sfnref | tass.com}} | access-date=2023-12-19}}</ref> According to the RF MoD, the new super-heavy ICBM [[RS-28 Sarmat]] has entered service, it's designed to replace the aging R-36.<ref>{{cite web | title=Upgrade Underway for Russian Silos to Receive New Sarmat ICBM | website=fas.org | url=https://fas.org/publication/russian-silos-upgrade-underway-to-receive-new-sarmat-icbm/ | language=en | ref={{sfnref | fas.org}} | access-date=2023-10-19}}</ref> A new IRBM named [[Oreshnik (missile)|Oreshnik]] was launched at Dnipro, Ukraine in 2024.<ref>{{cite web | title=Russians Launch New Missile at Dnipro, U.S. Provides Ukraine With New Tactical Weapons | website=defense.gov | url=https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3975321/russians-launch-new-missile-at-dnipro-us-provides-ukraine-with-new-tactical-wea// | language=en | ref={{sfnref | defense.gov}} | access-date=2023-10-19}}</ref>

=== Units ===
The composition of missiles and warheads of the Strategic Missile Forces previously had to be revealed as part of the [[START I]] treaty data exchange. The most recently reported (January 2020) order of battle of the forces was as follows:<ref name=Podvig>{{cite journal|url=http://russianforces.org/missiles/|title=Strategic Missile Forces|first=Pavel|last=Podvig|date=December 13, 2007|journal=Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces|access-date=April 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180401004012/http://russianforces.org/missiles/|archive-date=April 1, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

* [[27th Guards Rocket Army]] (Military Unit No. 43176) (HQ: [[Vladimir, Russia|Vladimir]]) <ref>{{Cite web |title=27-я гвардейская ракетная Витебская Краснознаменная армия (в/ч 43176) |url=https://rvsn.info/army/army_27.html |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=rvsn.info |language=ru}}</ref>
** 98th Mixed Aviation Squadron
** [[7th Guards Rocket Division]] (Military Unit No. 14245)<ref>{{Cite web |title=7-я гвардейская ракетная Режицкая Краснознаменная дивизия (в/ч 14245) |url=https://rvsn.info/divisions/div_007.html |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=rvsn.info}}</ref> at [[Vypolzovo]] with 18+ mobile [[RS-24 Yars]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/16609399 | title=МО РФ показало кадры заступления на боевое дежурство полка мобильных "Ярсов" в Бологом }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://tass.com/defense/1551273 | title=Missile unit in Tver Region enters combat duty with Yars ICBM system — missile force chief }}</ref> 
** [[14th Rocket Division]] (Military Unit No. 34096)<ref>{{Cite web |title=14-я ракетная Киевско-Житомирская ордена Кутузова дивизия (в/ч 34096) |url=https://rvsn.info/divisions/div_014.html |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=rvsn.info}}</ref> at [[Yoshkar-Ola]] with 27 mobile [[RS-24 Yars]] 
** [[28th Guards Rocket Division]] (Military Unit No. 54055)<ref>{{Cite web |title=28-я гвардейская ракетная Краснознаменная дивизия (в/ч 54055) |url=https://rvsn.info/divisions/div_028.html |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=rvsn.info}}</ref> at [[Kozelsk]] with 19 (December 2023)<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://russianforces.org/blog/2020/10/two_yars_missiles_deployed_in.shtml|title = Two Yars missiles deployed in Kozelsk|journal = Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces|date = October 13, 2020|last1 = Podvig|first1 = Pavel}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/rearmament-of-kozelsk-missile-division-continues|title = Rearmament of Kozelsk missile division continues}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://tass.com/defense/1550895 | title=Next Yars ICBM placed into silo in strategic missile formation in central Russia }}</ref> silo-based [[RS-24]]<ref>{{cite web | title=ЦАМТО / / МБР "Ярс" загрузили в шахту в Козельском ракетном соединении | website=ЦАМТО / Центр анализа мировой торговли оружием | date=2023-11-22 | url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/1122/094076533/detail.shtml | language=ru | ref={{sfnref | ЦАМТО / Центр анализа мировой торговли оружием | 2023}} | access-date=2023-12-19}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=ЦАМТО / / В Козельском соединении РВСН стратегические ракетчики загрузили МБР "Ярс" в шахтную пусковую установку | website=ЦАМТО / Центр анализа мировой торговли оружием | date=2023-12-18 | url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/1218/085077033/detail.shtml | language=ru | ref={{sfnref | ЦАМТО / Центр анализа мировой торговли оружием | 2023}} | access-date=2023-12-19}}</ref>
** [[54th Guards Rocket Division]] (Military Unit No. 34048)<ref>{{Cite web |title=54-я гвардейская ракетная ордена Кутузова дивизия (в/ч 34048) |url=https://rvsn.info/divisions/div_054.html |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=rvsn.info}}</ref> at [[Teykovo]] with 18 mobile [[RT-2UTTH Topol-M]] and 18 (December 2011)<ref name="russianforces.org">{{cite journal |author=RS-24 deployment in Teykovo, Novosibirsk, and Kozelsk |url=http://russianforces.org/blog/2011/12/rs-24_deployment_in_teykovo_no.shtml |title=RS-24 deployment in Teykovo, Novosibirsk, and Kozelsk - Blog - Russian strategic nuclear forces |journal=Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces |date=December 19, 2011 |publisher=Russianforces.org |access-date=2012-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120126044520/http://russianforces.org/blog/2011/12/rs-24_deployment_in_teykovo_no.shtml |archive-date=January 26, 2012 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }}</ref> mobile [[RS-24]]
** [[60th Rocket Division]] (Military Unit No. 89553)<ref>{{Cite web |title=60-я ракетная Таманская ордена Октябрьской Революции Краснознамённая дивизия имени 60-летия СССР (в/ч 89553) |url=https://rvsn.info/divisions/div_060.html |access-date=2023-07-27 |website=rvsn.info}}</ref> at [[Tatischevo (airbase)|Tatischevo]] with 30 silo-based [[UR-100N]]UTTH and 60 silo-based [[RT-2UTTH Topol-M]]
* [[31st Rocket Army]] (HQ: [[Orenburg]])
** 102nd Mixed Aviation Squadron
** [[8th Rocket Division]] at [[Pervomaysky (urban-type settlement), Kirov Oblast|Pervomaysky, Kirov Oblast]]
** [[13th Red Banner Rocket Division]] at [[Dombarovsky (air base)|Dombarovskiy]] with 18 silo-based R-36M2 and 11 (December 2023) [[UR-100N]]UTTH with [[Avangard (hypersonic glide vehicle)]]s (''Project 4202'').<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://russianforces.org/blog/2014/08/russian_hypersonic_vehicle_-_m.shtml|title=Russian hypersonic vehicle - more dots added to Project 4202|journal=Russian Strategic Nuclear Forces|publisher=russianforces.org|date=26 August 2014|access-date=18 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315043717/http://russianforces.org/blog/2014/08/russian_hypersonic_vehicle_-_m.shtml|archive-date=March 15, 2015|url-status=live|df=mdy-all|last1=Podvig|first1=Pavel}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://function.mil.ru/news_page/country/more.htm?id=12341326%40egNews&fbclid=IwAR2OyL8Zdu7OlchaQPzlfEU6EcCxPIleRXzSNLxxkeQPIgs_rmrb26L7klI|title = Подробнее : Министерство обороны Российской Федерации}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://tass.com/defense/1539059 | title=Missile regiment near Orenburg being rearmed with Avangard system — Defense Ministry }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://tass.com/defense/1551935 | title=Avangard missiles put on combat duty in Russia's southern Urals }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title=ЦАМТО / / В Оренбургской области завершены работы по перевооружению очередного полка соединения РВСН на РК "Авангард" | website=ЦАМТО / Центр анализа мировой торговли оружием | date=2023-12-18 | url=https://armstrade.org/includes/periodics/news/2023/1218/073577021/detail.shtml | language=ru | ref={{sfnref | ЦАМТО / Центр анализа мировой торговли оружием | 2023}} | access-date=2023-12-19}}</ref> The R-36s will be replaced with the new [[RS-28 Sarmat]] when operational.<ref name="gs2">{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/russia/ss-30-fobs.htm|title=Sarmatian ICBM & FOBS Reintroduction|publisher=globalsecurity.org|access-date=6 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406110730/http://www.globalsecurity.org/wmd/world/russia/ss-30-fobs.htm|archive-date=April 6, 2017|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
** [[42nd Rocket Division]] at [[Nizhniy Tagil]] with 27 mobile [[RS-24 Yars]]
* [[33rd Guards Rocket Army]] (HQ: [[Omsk]])
** 105th Mixed Aviation Squadron
** [[29th Guards Rocket Division]] at [[Irkutsk]] with 27 mobile [[RS-24 Yars]]
** [[35th Rocket Division]] at [[Barnaul]] with mobile [[RT-2PM Topol]] and<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ria.ru/20210129/rakety-1595155441.html|title = Минобороны раскрыло характеристики ракетного комплекса "Ярс-С"|date = January 29, 2021}}</ref> [[RS-24 Yars]]
** [[39th Guards Rocket Division]] at [[Novosibirsk]] with 27 mobile [[RS-24 Yars]]
** [[62nd Rocket Division]] at [[Uzhur]] with 28 silo-based [[R-36 (missile)|R-36M2]], which will also be replaced with the new [[RS-28 Sarmat]] when operational.<ref name="gs2" />

===Numbers of missiles and warheads===

The Strategic Missile Forces have:<ref name="Podvig"/>

* '''34''' silo-based [[R-36 (missile)|R-36M2 (SS-18)]] with up to 10 warheads, to be retired.
* '''45''' mobile [[RT-2PM Topol|RT-2PM "Topol" (SS-25)]] with 1 warhead, now retired
* '''60''' silo-based [[RT-2UTTH Topol M|RT-2UTTH "Topol M" (SS-27)]] with 1 warhead
* '''18''' mobile [[RT-2UTTH Topol M|RT-2UTTH "Topol M" (SS-27)]] with 1 warhead 
* '''24''' silo-based [[RS-24|RS-24 "Yars" (SS-29)]] with up to 4 warheads
* '''180''' mobile [[RS-24|RS-24 "Yars" (SS-29)]] with up to 4 warheads

Kristensen and Korda (2020) list the [[UR-100N|UR-100N (SS-19)]], as retired from deployment, while noting that [[UR-100N]]UTTH being deployed with the [[Avangard (hypersonic glide vehicle)|Avangard]].<ref>Hans M. Kristensen & Matt Korda (2020) Russian nuclear forces, 2020, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, 76:2, 102-117, DOI: 10.1080/00963402.2020.1728985</ref>

==Weapons and equipment==

=== Intermediate-range ballistic missiles ===
* [[Oreshnik (missile)|9M729 Oreshnik]] – In service from 2024 to present.

=== Intercontinental-range ballistic missiles ===
* [[RS-28 Sarmat|RS-28 Sarmat, SS-X-29 Satan II]] – In service from 2023 to present.
* [[R-36 (missile)|R-36M2 Voevoda, SS-18 Satan]] – In service from 1988 to present.
* [[RS-24 Yars|RS-24 Yars, SS-29]] – In service from 2010 to present.
* [[RT-2PM2 Topol-M|RT-2PM2 Topol-M, SS-27 Sickle-B]] – In service from 2000 to present.

== Ranks and rank insignia ==
;Officer ranks
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin:0 12px 12px 0;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OF/Russia (Strategic Rocket Forces)}}
|}

;Other ranks
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin:0 12px 12px 0;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Air Forces/OR/Russia (Strategic Rocket Forces)}}
|}

==Future==
According to the [[Federation of American Scientists]], for the foreseeable future, all new Russian ICBM deployments will be based on the [[MIRV]]ed version of the solid-fueled Topol-M "[[RS-24 Yars]]" and the liquid-fueled [[RS-28 Sarmat]]. By the late 2020s, according to announcements by Russian military officials, all R-36M2 missiles will be retired in favor of the new [[RS-28 Sarmat|RS-28]] super-heavy ICBM.

==See also==
{{Portal|Russia}}
*[[Dead Hand]]
*[[Russian Aerospace Defence Forces]]
*[[Awards and emblems of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation]]
*[[List of states with nuclear weapons]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
*Дороговоз И. Г. Ракетные войска СССР. — Минск: Харвест, 2007. — 336 с. — {{ISBN|978-985-13-9751-4}}
*John G. Hines et al. ''[http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv//nukevault/ebb285/ Soviet Intentions 1965–1985]''. [[Braddock Dunn & McDonald]] (BDM), 1995.
* [http://ukrainian.su/en/photogallery/category/82  Strategic Missile Forces museum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120310202130/http://ukrainian.su/en/photogallery/category/82 |date=March 10, 2012 }}
* {{cite book |first=Dr Steven J. |last=Main |title=The Strategic Rocket Forces 1991-2002 |url=http://files.ethz.ch/isn/46484/02_Aug_3.pdf |date=August 2002 |publisher=Conflict Studies Research Centre }}{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
*"Владимирская Ракетная Стратегическая" (Vladimirskaya Strategic Missile) by I.V. Vershkov and V.G. Gagarin; Vladimir 2006; 480 pages;
*"Оренбургская Стратегическая" (Orenburg Strategic) by Y.N. Feoktistov; Perm 2001; 328 pages; (also a 1997 edition).
*"Читинская Ракетная Армия" (Chitinskaya Missile Army) by ??; Chita, 2002; 268 pages
*"История 50-й Ракетной Армии I-IV" (History 50th Missile Army, part 1–4) by G.I. Smirnov and A.I. Yasakov; Smolensk 2008; 370+342+387+561 pages
*"Стратеги" (Strategic) by V.T. Nosov; Moscow, 2008; 276 pages;

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Strategic Rocket Forces of the Russian Federation}}
* [http://eng.mil.ru/en/structure/forces/strategic_rocket.htm Official Page]
* [http://missilethreat.csis.org/russia/ CSIS Missile Threat - Russia]
* [http://rvsn.com.ua/en/ ''Strategic Missile Forces museum'' Official Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110825102659/http://www.rvsn.com.ua/en/ |date=August 25, 2011 }}
* [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00963402.2019.1580891 Russian Nuclear Notebook 2019 - forces and Rocket Divisions]

{{Armed Forces of the Russian Federation}}
{{Strategic forces}}

[[Category:Strategic Rocket Forces]]
[[Category:Strategic forces]]