OUR Russia it test-fired an “advanced” intercontinental ballistic missile yesterday, Tuesday, weeks after announcing the suspension of its participation in the nuclear disarmament treaty it signed with the United States.

“The combat unit successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Kapustin Yar test site,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

“The test warhead of the missile hit a fictitious target at the Shari-Sagan training ground (Republic of Kazakhstan),” the report says, which does not specify the type of intercontinental ballistic missile used.

However, the ministry clarified that the purpose of the exercises is “testing advanced military equipment.”

“This launch made it possible to confirm the correctness of the schemes and technical solutions used in the development of new strategic missile systems,” the same statement says.

nuclear threat

Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly hinted that the use of nuclear weapons is not excluded if Russia feels threatened.

In late February, both houses of the Russian parliament suspended participation in the New Nuclear Disarmament Treaty, signed in 2010. This is the latest bilateral nuclear disarmament agreement between Russia and the Americans, under which the parties agreed to limit their nuclear arsenals and accept mutual checks.

At the end of February, Vladimir Putin promised that the latest Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, described as a weapon capable of “bypassing all air defense systems” and that would “make think twice those who try to threaten” Russia, would be put into service this year.

Source: APE-MPE, AFP.

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