Russia Successfully Tests Two New Missile Systems
29 May 2007
Russia has successfully test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile and a tactical shorter range cruise missile.
Russian Defense Ministry officials say the RS-24 intercontinental missile, capable of carrying multiple, independently targeted warheads, was launched Tuesday from the Plestek space center in the northwestern Arkhangelsk region. It hit its target on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's far east.
Russian military officials also reported a successful test of the new Iskander cruise missile at a base in the Astrakhan region.
Following the tests, Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said they prove that Russia's weapons can overcome any missile defense system.
Meanwhile, a Pentagon spokesman says the United States would be disappointed if Russia stopped meeting its obligations under the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty.
The spokesman, Bryan Whitman, was responding to Monday's Russian Foreign Ministry call for a special meeting on the future of that treaty.
The ministry said it has formally requested such a meeting beginning June 12 in Vienna.
Last month, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow may stop complying with the treaty that limits the number of aircraft tanks and non-nuclear heavy weapons in Europe if signatories fail to address Russia's grievances.
Russia has criticized some NATO countries for refusing to ratify the accord as revised in 1999.
Relations between Moscow and Washington have also been strained by U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense system in central Europe. Russia strongly opposes the planned deployment in Poland and the Czech Republic.
Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.
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