The United States said on Wednesday it had successfully test-fired an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), an operation announced in advance to avoid any escalation of tensions with Russia amid the conflict in Ukraine.

“This test launch is part of routine testing and periodic operations designed to demonstrate that the United States’ nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, reliable, and effective,” the US Air Force Command said in a press release.

An unarmed Minuteman III missile was launched early on September 6 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, the statement said.

“This type of test has been conducted more than 300 times and has nothing to do with current world events,” the US Air Force added, indicating that it had informed Russia of the exercise.

The Minuteman III, which has been in service for 50 years, is currently the only land-based missile in the United States’ nuclear arsenal, which also includes Trident sea-based missiles deployed on board US submarines, as well as transportable nuclear bombs on strategic bombers.