- The Washington Times - Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Russian authorities say the nation’s successfully test fired an intercontinental ballistic missile, an RS-12M Topol that traveled from the Astrakhan area and touched down at a site in Kazakhstan.

The Strategic Rocket Forces launch site is about 280 miles from the Ukrainian border, Reuters reported, citing statements from Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Yegorov.

The United States said it received a heads-up from Russia about the test firing, and that the notification was given before the conflict began in Crimea, Reuters said.

Russia’s ICBM launches are conducted with regularity, though the tests are intended to remind the West of the nation’s military might and to show Russians that President Vladimir Putin is able to protect them, military analysts suggested, Reuters reported.

 

• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.

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