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Russian missile test
Photo: Uncredited / dpa
In the midst of the Ukraine war, Russia caused a stir with a missile test.
Russian President Vladimir Putin had a new Sarmat-type ICBM tested and used the launch for threatening words.
No other missile in the world can reach targets at such a distance, the Defense Ministry said.
The missile, which can be equipped with nuclear warheads, will massively strengthen Russia's nuclear potential, it said.
The weapon system has "the best tactical and technical properties and is able to overcome all modern means of missile defense," said Putin.
"This is a truly unique weapon that will increase the combat potential of our armed forces and reliably protect Russia's security from external threats."
The Sarmat has a range of 18,000 kilometers.
This allows Russia to attack both the North and South Pole and reach targets worldwide.
The USA reacted calmly to Moscow's demonstration of power.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in Washington that Russia had "duly notified the United States that it plans to conduct an ICBM test," as part of its obligations under the New Start nuclear disarmament treaty.
The abbreviation ICBM stands for Intercontinental Ballistic Missile.
"Such tests are routine, and they came as no surprise," he pointed out.
The test is not seen as a threat to the United States or its allies.
According to Putin, independent of sanctions
The Russian Defense Ministry announced that the missile with the NATO code name SS-X-30 Satan 2 was shot down on Wednesday afternoon from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region.
The non-nuclear warheads used for the test hit the Kura site on the Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula.
The Sarmat is to replace the old, heavy Voyevoda nuclear missiles in the future.
Putin made it clear that the weapons could go into mass production regardless of international sanctions against Russia.
Russia has everything it needs.
The Ministry of Defense in Moscow announced that it would now train the troops on the new system.
hba/dpa