The United States launches an intercontinental missile: Putin orders preparations for nuclear test in response

The Minuteman III ballistic missile launcher. Photo: ua.news

On 5 November, the US Air Force Global Strike Command test-fired a Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile without a projectile from the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

According to NV, the test was intended to verify the reliability and accuracy of the weapon, which the US calls «currently a key element of national defence».

The launch was carried out using the Airborne Launch Control System (ALCS), a backup system for the US nuclear command.

The warhead of the unarmed missile flew about 4,200 miles (approximately 6,750 kilometres) and reached the Ronald Reagan Test Site in the Marshall Islands.

In response, on 5 November, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced preparations for a full-scale nuclear test, according to «Important Stories».

Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov said that he considers it expedient to immediately start testing on the Novaya Zemlya archipelago. According to him, the United States «is withdrawing from nuclear deterrence treaties» and «is developing new strategic weapons, including intercontinental missiles and submarines».

Belousov also said that Washington allegedly plans to deploy missiles in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region that can reach central Russia in 6-7 minutes.

Vladimir Putin supported the initiative and said that «Russia must and can respond».

Earlier, US President Donald Trump reacted to Russian President Vladimir Putin's statements about the successful test of a nuclear cruise missile «Petrel». Subsequently, he instructed the Pentagon to immediately begin testing nuclear weapons.