Russia's Strategic Missile Forces test-fired a new prototype ballistic missile

Russia's Strategic Missile Forces test-fired a new prototype ballistic missile from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Arkhangelsk Region on Wednesday, Defense Ministry spokesman Vadim Koval said, but did not name the new weapon.

"The training round landed in the western region of the Kamchatka peninsula, hitting its target" he said.

The launch took place at 10.15 a.m. from a mobile launcher, he said.

"The new intercontinental ballistic missile is intended to strengthen the capabilities of Russia's Strategic Missile Forces, including its capabilities for overcoming anti-missile defenses," he said.

"The missile was built with maximum use of existing components with new elements and technologies developed during the production of fifth-generation missile systems, in order to shorten its development time," he said.