by Bill Gertz
Russia conducted the first flight test of a new inter-continental ballistic missile (ICBM) that Russian officials say is designed to defeat U.S. missile defenses.
The prototype ICBM was launched yesterday from Moscow’s Kapustin Yar missile range, a spokesman for Russian Defense Ministry told state media.
U.S. and Russian officials describe the new missile as a road-mobile missile known as Yars-M that is slated for deployment later this year.
On Friday, Russian Deputy Premier Dmitri Rogozin said the new missile was designed specifically to defeat U.S. missile defenses—a key Russian priority for its strategic nuclear arms buildup.
“We closely watched last night’s events. They were successful. We tested an intercontinental ballistic missile which I call ‘a missile defense killer,’” Rogozin was quoted by Interfax as saying. “Neither modern nor future American missile defense means will be able to stop this missile from hitting its target directly.”
