Russia prepared in early September to launch its Avangard hypersonic missile, one of the strategic weapons systems Putin has showcased in recent years, but the test never took place.
Analysis of aviation notices and data from test sites indicates Russia planned to conduct the launch between September 3 and 5 from the Dombarovsky site in Orenburg Oblast. The planned trajectory was set to terminate at the Kura test range on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's Far East.
Ahead of the test, aviation warnings were issued and airspace was restricted along the planned route. The restrictions covered the launch area, zones where missile components were expected to fall, and the area near the Kamchatka test site.
According to experts tracking Russia's strategic weapons systems, this data matches the preparations seen in previous Avangard tests. However, by the time the designated launch window closed, no launch had been reported.
Pavel Podvig, a researcher who monitors Russia's strategic nuclear systems, wrote that based on available information, this appears to be a test that was planned but canceled. He noted that at this stage, there is no information explaining why the launch was not carried out.
