Russia successfully tests intercontinental missile

MOSCOW - The Russian Strategic Rocket Forces (RVSN) successfully test-fired a Topol RS-12M intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), local media reported on Friday.

Spokesman for the (RVSN) Colonel Vadim Koval told reporters that the missile, Thursday launched from Kapustin Yar launch site in the southern Russian region of Astrakhan, hit the target in Sary Shagan range in Kazakhstan with required accuracy.

Koval said the launch was intended to test the stability of the missile with prolonged service life.

The RS-12M Topol is a single-warhead ICBM that entered service in 1985. The Russian military announced last year the service life of the Topol missile could be extended to 2019.

The 45-ton three-stage missile has a maximum range of 10,000 km and can carry a nuclear warhead with a yield of 550 kilotons.