Russia test fires new ballistic missile

Moscow, May 23 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Russia test-fired a new prototype ballistic missile from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome Wednesday, Defence Ministry spokesman Vadim Koval said, but did not name the new weapon.

"The training round landed in the western region of the Kamchatka peninsula, hitting its target," he said.

The launch took place at 10.15 a.m. from a mobile launcher, he said.

"The new intercontinental ballistic missile is intended to strengthen the capabilities of Russia's Strategic Missile Forces, including its capabilities for overcoming anti-missile defences," he said.

"The missile was built with maximum use of existing components with new elements and technologies developed during the production of fifth-generation missile systems, in order to shorten its development time," he said.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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