US says it was 'properly notified' of Russian ICBM test

WASHINGTON

The US was "properly notified" beforehand of a Russian test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Pentagon said Wednesday.

Spokesman John Kirby said the Kremlin gave advance notice of the test under its New START Treaty obligations.

"It was not a surprise," said Kirby, adding the Pentagon "did not deem the test to be a threat to the United States or its allies."

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Moscow's forces successfully tested what the Kremlin calls a Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile.

"The Sarmat missile system will ensure the security of Russia, will make those mad who are trying to threaten it," he said at a meeting with military chiefs in Moscow.

In a separate statement, the Defense Ministry said the launch was carried out from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the European part of Russia and the missile landed at an assigned point in Kamchatka, in the Far East.

It said Sarmat's combat equipment was expanded in the number of warheads and types.

The missile can travel at hypersonic speed, the ministry noted, adding that the test is the first in a series.

Sarmat is one of six new Russian strategic weapons that was unveiled March 1, 2018, by Putin and is expected to enter service later in 2022.