Russia tried the intercontinental missile

Moscow said it had successfully tested the intercontinental missile that could carry Bulava nuclear warheads yesterday, just before Russian President Vladimir Putin was about to go to the United States to meet his counterpart George W Bush.

Bulava rocket launched from the White Sea nuclear submarine, targeted at 6,700km from the Kamchatka Peninsula, Pacific Ocean. Bulava is designed with a range of up to 10,000km and can carry 6 nuclear warheads targeting different targets. In the last few years, Russia has three times tested this type of missile but has failed.

President Putin described Bulava as a trump card in Russia's future nuclear force. He said it could penetrate any missile defense system.

The US and Russia are tense around Washington planning to build a missile shield in Europe. The plan angered Moscow, saying that defense system was a challenge for them. Putin will meet Bush next Sunday.

(Photo: Reuters)

HN