The United States announced on Tuesday that it will test an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) the next day, but it is unusual for Washington to announce such tests in advance, but the decision to announce it is intended to prevent an escalation of tensions with Russia in the context of the conflict in Ukraine. AFP and Agerpres.

Testing of the intercontinental ballistic missile Minuteman III in the USAPhoto: ABACA / Abaca Press / Profimedia

“This test of an unarmed Minuteman III missile will take place tomorrow morning, September 7, from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California,” Pentagon spokesman Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters.

“The United States informed the Russian government in advance,” the American general wanted to clarify, adding that “this is a planned test that is planned for a long time and which, like previous tests, will confirm and check the effectiveness and degree of readiness of the system.”

The last test of the Minuteman III missile, capable of carrying a nuclear bomb, on August 16, was postponed twice, the first time after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the second time – to wait for the visit of the speaker of the US House of Representatives to Taiwan. representatives of Nancy Pelosi, in both cases Washington considers not to escalate tensions with Russia, respectively China.