Russia conducts test launch of Topol intercontinental ballistic missile
The Strategic Missile Forces tested advanced combat equipment installed on the intercontinental ballistic missile, RS-12M Topol, the Russian Defense Ministry indicated as reported by TASS.
"On December 26, 2017, a test launch of the intercontinental ballistic missile, RS-12M Topol, was executed by the missile combat crew of the Strategic Missile Forces from the state central testing site, Kapustin Yar, in the Astrakhan region. The purpose of the launch was a test of the prospective combat equipment of intercontinental ballistic missiles," the Defense Ministry said.
"During the test, experimental data was obtained that will be used to develop effective means of overcoming missile defenses and equipping a group of Russian ballistic missiles with them," the Defense Ministry added.
The testing routes and the measuring system of the Kapustin Yar test site make it possible to test promising combat equipment capable of overcoming missile defenses, including a prospective configuration in the range of possible conditions for its delivery to targets in the interests of the Strategic Missile Troops and the Navy, the ministry said.
Earlier, representatives of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces repeatedly expressed their fears that the US-built global missile defense system poses a serious threat to the Russian nuclear deterrence potential. The General Staff also discussed possible interception scenarios of Russian intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine ballistic missiles, including using the naval component of the US ABM system.
The head of the Defense ministry, Sergey Shoygu, said on Friday at the Russian Ministry of Defense board meeting that the US missile defense system in Europe has been brought to the first level of operational readiness.