Russia successfully tested a prototype of a long-range rocket that could be armed with a nuclear weapon, the country's military announced late Wednesday, DPA reported.
The test went off according to plan at a testing ground in neighbouring Kazakhstan, the military told the Interfax news agency. The prototype apparently is a the latest version of a Topol M rocket (NATO reporting name: SS-27 Sickle B).
The new rocket raises Russian forces' capability particularly in light of a planned rocket shield system that the United States and other NATO countries want to build in Eastern Europe.
Russia is in a dispute with NATO over the proposed rocket shield system, which Moscow sees as a danger to the balance of military power.