Russia restricted airspace access over the Kapustin Yar military training ground in the Astrakhan region from May 5 to 8. The corresponding NOTAM announced the closure of the area, which is used for testing and live launches of anti-aircraft and ballistic missiles. Specifically, the testing site is used for the latest anti-aircraft systems and ballistic missiles, including medium-range missiles.

Kapustin Yar is a unique military facility located in the northeastern part of the Astrakhan region, which played a key role in the development of Soviet and Russian rocket science. It was founded in 1946 as the State Central Testing Range of the USSR Ministry of Armed Forces for missile testing. It was here that the first Soviet ballistic missiles, the R-1 and R-2, as well as anti-aircraft missile systems, were tested.

According to open sources, it was from this test site, located 42 kilometers southeast of Znamensk, that the Oreshnik medium ballistic missile was launched. The test took place 80-90 kilometers from the Ukrainian border toward the Volgograd region. The missile confirmed its performance, successfully hitting simulated targets at the test site.

This wasn't the first launch of the Oreshnik missile. Previous tests were also conducted at this test site in 2023 and 2024. The medium-range missile is capable of carrying a nuclear warhead and striking targets at ranges of 1000 to 5500 km. It is virtually invulnerable to air defenses due to its hypersonic speed—from Mach 5 to Mach 10—and its high maneuverability thanks to its multiple warheads. As a defensive measure, the missile is equipped with active and passive jamming systems. Used in the special military operation zone since November 2024, the Oreshnik is a modernized version carrying non-nuclear munitions.

The closure comes amid escalating tensions in the Black Sea region. Earlier, in late April, Ukraine tested its own Flamingo long-range cruise missiles, which reportedly traveled more than 1000 kilometers to Cheboksary and Khanty-Mansiysk, but were intercepted by Russian air defense systems, a claim confirmed by Ukrainian sources.