MOSCOW. Feb 9 (Interfax-AVN) - The press service of the Russian Strategic Missile Forces has refuted media reports that a dysfunctional prime mover was transporting missiles in the Irkutsk region on February 6.
"Missile transportation was not planned and did not take place in that region from February 4 to 7," the press service said in a report circulated on Monday.
According to the report, dysfunctional engineer equipment, not missiles, was transported in the region on February 6. During the transportation, a fault was detected in the prime mover's braking system.
As it was dangerous to continue moving at night, the unit command decided to suspend the mission until the morning. The MAZ 7917 escort vehicle subsequently joined the towing. The MAZ is a cross-country vehicle with a powerful winch.
In the morning, the trailer with the engineer equipment was towed to the military unit's stationing area, the report reads.