U.S. inspectors weren’t able to verify if Russia had properly eliminated Topol ICBMs

An on-site inspection by U.S. nuclear arms inspectors in Russia this April has raised a few red flags. American inspectors were unable to verify if the Topol mobile intercontinental ballistic missiles slated for elimination were properly disposed.

By Boevaya mashina (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Both sides signed the New START treaty in 2010 which limits the total number of missiles and bombers deployed by each side to 700.

During the inspection, the U.S. side was only allowed to see the missile canisters. It was also discovered that the missile components were unbolted from their launchers instead of being cut into pieces.