The RS-12M Topol ICBM was launched last Thursday from the Russia’s northern Plesetsk space center, RIA Novosti reported.

Prelaunch operations and the launch and flight of the missile followed a strictly planned procedure. The Russian Ministry of Defense said the missile struck the practice target at the Kura ballistic range in the country’s Far East within the prescribed accuracy.

According to the report, Putin held a planned training exercise of the armed forces in his capacity as Russia’s commander-in-chief.

The presidents of Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) member countries – Belarus, Armenia, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan – also observed the training process at the national defense control center.

The military drills included maneuvers of individual formations and units of the missile troops, artillery, aircraft and air defense systems to destroy ground forces and counter massive missile and air strikes of a hypothetical opponent.

Another part of training focused on nuclear deterrence and countering the opponent's ballistic attack using the missile defense system of the city of Moscow.

The training involved strategic bombers, ballistic submarines, strategic purpose mobile missile systems and other aerospace defense equipment. In addition, the training included the artillery and rocket forces of the Southern and Central Military Districts.

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