Without a formal START treaty data exchange it is very difficult to keep accurate track of the developments in the strategic forces. For example, it is still not clear if the Rocket Forces actually deployed the MIRVed version of Topol-M missile, known as RS-24. Today, a Global Security Network report quoted ITAR-TASS as reporting that the RS-24 missile has entered combat duty.

However, there are reasons to be skeptical about this report. Something similar surfaced in April 2010 - in both cases the information was coming from the industry (i.e. from the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology), not from the Rocket Forces (the military seem to be more cautious about projections). Not that it rules out the possibility that the missiles have been deployed, but it makes the information a bit suspect. At least I am not ready to update the numbers yet.