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Russia has test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk space center in the Arkhangelsk region Wednesday, local media reported. The prototype of the new missile was launched at 10:15 a.m. Moscow time (0615 GMT), Interfax news agency reported, quoting a military official. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Vadim Koval said the new missile, developed for the Strategic Rocket Forces, was launched successfully with a mobile launch vehicle. The new weapon is "intended to strengthen the capabilities of Russia 's Strategic Missile Forces, including its capabilities for overcoming anti-missile defenses," Koval said. The missile tested Wednesday had adopted "new technologies and elements" developed in the fifth-generation missile systems, according to the official. Koval didn't provide further information on the new missile. Local media reported the launch was the second such test of the new missile since September. By using a new fuel to shorten the engine's boost operation, the missile gains more capabilities to overcome missile defense systems. Also on Wednesday, the Russian Defense Ministry said it has placed a new Voronezh-M long-range missile early warning radar station on duty in the Irkutsk region, which is the fourth new-generation station that has joined service in Russia in the past several years.

Russia test-fires new intercontinental ballistic missile