MOSCOW -- Russia on Tuesday conducted a successful test of the
Topol-M missile, designed to become the basis of country's nuclear force.
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin watched the launch at the Plesetsk
cosmodrome in northwestern Russia. The Interfax news agency said the missile
struck its target on the Kamchatka peninsula about 6,000 kilometers [3,400
miles] to the east.
Officials said the Topol-M will be Russia's new nuclear missile. It is
much smaller and more mobile than Russia's huge intercontinental ballistic
missiles.
The Topol-M can be fired from vehicles.
The missile launch took place as Russia has intensified development of
new weapons in wake of Moscow's demand for an end to a U.S. anti-missile
defense system.