Russia test-fires ICBM

Russia successfully test-fired a Topol RS-12M intercontinental ballistic missile, a Defense Ministry spokesman said.

The missile, put into service in 1985 and referred to as a SS-25 Sickle by NATO, has a maximum range of 10,000 kilometers (6,125 miles) and can carry a nuclear warhead with a yield of up to 550 kilotons.

The Defense Ministry says it intends to retire most of its SS-18 Satan, SS-19 Stiletto and SS-25 Sickle ICBMs, and replace them with SS-27 Sickle-B (Topol-M) and RS-24 Yars missiles by 2021, RIA Novosti said.