Russia successfully tests an "advanced" ballistic missile

Russia has announced it has successfully test-fired an "advanced" intercontinental ballistic missile, weeks after suspending its participation in the latest nuclear arms control deal with the US, AFP reported.

"A combat crew successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from a mobile ground-based missile system" from the test site at Kapustin Yar yesterday, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"The warhead of the missile hit a mock target at the Sary-Shagan (Kazakhstan) training range with specific accuracy," the statement added.

The Russian Defense Ministry did not specify the type of missile used in the launch on Monday, but said the aim of the test was to "test advanced combat equipment for intercontinental ballistic missiles."

"This launch allowed to validate the circle of design and technical solutions used in the development of new strategic missile systems," it added.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in February that a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile would be deployed this year, following US information that a new launch had failed.

The Sarmat, dubbed the Satin 2 by Western analysts, is capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads. It is one of Russia's next-generation missiles that Putin has described as "invincible."