Russia Starts Yars ICBM Drills After Threatening Finland and Sweden
Russia started drills involving its Yars intercontinental ballistic missile (icbm) systems and several thousand troops, according to a March 29 announcement by the Russian Defense Ministry. The Yars systems are capable of carrying at least six independently targetable nuclear-capable warheads, which have a range up to 11,000 kilometers (6,835 miles).
“In total, more than 3,000 military personnel and about 300 pieces of equipment are involved,” the Defense Ministry reported. The drills involve command and staff exercises with the Novosibirsk missile formation equipped with the Yars systems. Russian President Vladimir Putin says these Yars missile systems will be part of Russia’s “invincible weapons.”
Threat to Finland and Sweden: These nuclear drills come right after Russia threatened Sweden and Finland over joining nato. On March 28, Russian ambassador Viktor Tatrintsev warned that the Nordic nations would become targets if they joined nato.
If it still seems to anyone that this will somehow improve Europe’s security, rest assured that the new members of the hostile bloc will become a legitimate target for Russian retaliatory measures, including those of a military nature.
—Viktor Tatarintsev
Russia has repeatedly threatened Finland and Sweden since they expressed desire to join nato after the outbreak of the Ukraine War. The Russian ambassador in Stockholm warned the Swedes specifically, saying they “will undoubtedly be drawn in and sent to their deaths for the interests of others.” Finland, which shares an 800-mile border with Russia, also received a strong warning against joining nato. In May of last year, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Defense Committee Aleksey Zhuravlyov said Russia has missiles that can “reach Finland in 20 seconds, or even 10 seconds.”
Unified Europe: Russia’s increasing nuclear threat will continue to frighten European nations, which will soon lead to their unification and militarization against the dangers from the east. In his booklet The Prophesied ‘Prince of Russia,’ Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry writes: “We need to watch what is happening in Russia and how Europe responds to it. Daniel 11:44 talks about ‘tidings out of the east’ troubling Europe.”
A prophecy in Revelation 17 shows that a 10-nation union will rise out of Europe in the end time. As the east is troubling Europe, nations like Finland and Sweden will continue to look for military unification with European nations. To learn more, read our Trends article “Why the Trumpet Watches Europe’s Push Toward a Unified Military.”
