Russia successfully test-fires new ABM interceptor missile

Russia’s Aerospace Force has successfully test-launched a new interceptor missile of the country’s anti-ballistic missile (ABM) defense system at the Sary-Shagan proving ground in Kazakhstan, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Monday.

"The combat team of the Aerospace Force’s air and anti-ballistic missile defense troops conducted another successful test-launch of a new missile of the Russian anti-ballistic missile defense system at the Sary-Shagan proving ground (the Republic of Kazakhstan)," the ministry said in a statement.

As Aerospace Force Anti-Ballistic Missile Defense Formation Major General Sergei Grabchuk said, "the ABM system’s new interceptor missile reliably proved its inherent characteristics while the combat teams successfully accomplished the task, striking a mock target with the required accuracy."

An interceptor missile that destroys enemy warheads develops a speed of over 3 km/s or more than four times the speed of a Kalashnikov assault rifle’s bullet, TASS reported.