Russia Suddenly Canceled The Test Of The "Avangard" Missile

• 8.09.2026, 16:26

The planned launch was canceled for an unknown reason.

Russia was likely preparing to test the “Avangard” hypersonic system, but the launch was canceled. The test was to have been the first since 2018.

This was reported on Tuesday, September 8, by The Insider, citing the findings of Pavel Podvig, an expert on Russian strategic nuclear forces.

According to the report, Podvig—after analyzing, in particular, aviation warnings and reports from local authorities issued prior to the supposed launch—concluded that preparations were underway for a test of the “Avangard,” rather than another Russian intercontinental ballistic missile—the “Sarmat.”

The test was scheduled to take place from September 3 to 5. The UR-100N UTTKh intercontinental ballistic missile, equipped with the “Avangard” hypersonic glide vehicle, was to be launched from the Dombarovsky/Yasnoye in the Orenburg Region of the Russian Federation toward the Kura test site in Kamchatka, according to the expert.

The potential launch was canceled for an unknown reason, but there are no signs of an accident during the launch.

Russian authorities have not made any public statements regarding the preparation or cancellation of the test.