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A regiment armed with Avangard missiles has begun combat duty at the Yasnenskoye missile formation in the Orenburg Region of the southern Urals, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

"Today, a yet another regiment armed with the Avangard missile system was put on combat duty at the Yasnenskoye missile formation, becoming a true present for the Day of the Strategic Missile Force," the Ministry said.

The complex process of installing an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) took a few hours and was assisted by a special transporter loader.

The missile system with the hypersonic glide vehicle will improve the Russian Strategic Missile Force's combat capabilities, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

The Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle can fly through the dense layers of the atmosphere at up to Mach 27 (about 32,000 kilometers per hour), performing direction and altitude maneuvers, and overcoming any missile defenses.

Commander of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces, Sergey Karakayev, announced on December 17 that the Avangard missile system would enter service with the missile regiment of the Yasny military formation.

“Another missile regiment will be introduced into service in the Yasny military formation for the anniversary of our Strategic Missile Forces – now with the Avangard missile system,” Karakayev said on Russian TV on December 15.

The Avangard can move and outpace any missile defense while traveling at a hypersonic speed of Mach 27, or about 32,000 kilometers per hour, according to Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin publicly unveiled the system in 2018 and it has since been projected as the cornerstone of the country's hypersonic capabilities.

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