Russian President Dmitry Medvedev (right) visits the Voronezh-DM a radar warning system station in Kaliningrad November, 2011 (AFP/Ria-Novosti, Mikhail Klimentyev)

Business Insider: Russia has lost its ability to detect incoming nuclear missiles from space

Russia just lost its early-warning system for detecting ballistic missiles because of delays in the launch of its new "Tundra" advanced early-warning system.

According to Russia's Kommersant newspaper, the system was due to replace ageing satellites launched as part of the Oko programme that had already exceeded their expected life span of five to seven years. The system had been beset by technical problems, and in January this year the last two satellites, which were operational for only a few hours each day, finally went offline.

Update: Russian Nuclear Missile Detection Capability Limited by Satellite Launch Delays -- Moscow Times

WNU Editor: Someone in the defense ministry screwed up .... and big time. Apparently the first satellite launch with Russia's new early warning system will be in July .... that is if there are no technical difficulties. I guess Russia will now have to depend on its on-ground radar systems to detect incoming missiles .... but until that first early warning satellite system is launched .... be nervous ..... be very nervous.