Russia continues to successfully test-launch intercontinental ballistic missiles.
A combat team of the Strategic Missile Forces conducted a test launch of a Topol ICBM from a mobile ground-based launcher at the Kapustin Yar test range in the Astrakhan region.
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| Topol intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Source: TASS |
On July 26, the Russian Strategic Missile Forces (SMF) successfully test-fired a Topol intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Kapustin Yar test range in the Astrakhan region of southern Russia.
The Russian Ministry of Defense statement said: "On July 26, a combat team of the Strategic Missile Forces conducted a test launch of a Topol ICBM from a mobile ground-based launcher at the Kapustin Yar test range in the Astrakhan region."
According to the statement, "the simulated warhead struck its designated target at the Sary-Shagan test range (in Kazakhstan) with the desired accuracy."
Earlier this month, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced that the Russian Aerospace Defense Forces had successfully tested a new anti-ballistic missile in a Central Asian desert, as the country's military prepares to receive the next-generation S-500 Prometey air defense system.
The test was conducted at the Sary-Shagan test range in central Kazakhstan. However, the agency did not provide details about the type of missile used.
In recent times, Russia has conducted numerous missile tests. Earlier this month, Moscow successfully test-fired an anti-ballistic missile at the Sary-Shagan test range.
The Russian military is currently keeping the details of the tests under wraps, but previously announced that it had put the S-500 Prometey long-range air defense missile system into mass production after completing most of the manufacturing and testing processes.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu previously stated that deliveries of the S-500 system to the military would begin in 2020. The system was designed to remain operational for 25 years.
The S-500 is the latest version of the long-range missile defense system developed by Russia's leading defense contractor, Almaz-Antey. The system's characteristics remain classified.
However, defense sources and the manufacturer indicate that the S-500 will be significantly strengthened and upgraded in terms of its ballistic missile defense and anti-missile capabilities compared to the S-400.
