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First regiment of Avangard hypersonic missile systems to go on combat duty in Russia

Three other missile regiments have been rearmed with Yars mobile intercontinental ballistic missile systems

Avangard missile system Russian Defense Ministry's press service/TASS

Avangard missile system

© Russian Defense Ministry's press service/TASS

MOSCOW, December 24. /TASS/. The first regiment of Avangard hypersonic missile systems will go on combat alert this week, Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergei Shoigu said at the ministry’s enlarged board meeting with the participation of President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday.

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"This week, the first missile regiment armed with the Avangard system with the hypersonic boost-glide vehicle will assume combat duty," the defense minister said.

Three other missile regiments have been rearmed with Yars mobile intercontinental ballistic missile systems. Russia has also completed deploying Peresvet laser systems. They have been on combat alert in the positioning areas of five missile divisions of Russia’s Strategic Missile Force since December 1, the defense minister said.

Russia’s airborne strategic nuclear forces have received five new upgraded missile-carrying bombers, the defense chief said.

Russia has also completed the tests of the improved Project Borei-A lead nuclear-powered submarine Knyaz Vladimir, Shoigu said.

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