Vladimir Putin's chilling new warning to the West as Russian despot tests an experimental nuclear
Vladimir Putin issued a new warning to the West with the suspected test of an experimental nuclear-capable missile.
Footage shows the mystery intercontinental ballistic launch from the Kapustin Yar test range in the Astrakhan region.
The Russian defence ministry refused to disclose the type of missile but it was launched from a mobile ground-based missile system.
Russians living in Orenburg, Astrakhan and Volgograd described seeing a 'strange object' moving through the sky with some describing it as a 'space jellyfish'.
Bemused locals captured videos of the missile which were then widely shared on social media.
Vladimir Putin issued a new warning to the West with the suspected test of an experimental nuclear-capable missile
Footage shows the mystery intercontinental ballistic launch from the Kapustin Yar test range in the Astrakhan region
The launch was carried out as part of a state testing programme of future missile systems, and those in service, at a time of high tension between Russia and the West over Ukraine.
'The launch objectives were completed in full,' said the ministry, without giving more detail.
A launch on the same day one year ago was believed to be a test of a new version of Putin's Topol range - known for now as Topol-ME.
Residents of Astrakhan, Dagestan and Volgograd regions noticed unusual white traces in the sky.
The Russian defence ministry refused to disclose the type of missile but it was launched from a mobile ground-based missile system
Bemused locals captured videos of the missile which were then widely shared on social media
Russians living in Orenburg, Astrakhan and Volgograd described seeing a 'strange object' moving through the sky with some describing it as a 'space jellyfish'
The launch came late on 12 April - which Russia marks as Cosmonautics Day, commemorating the day in 1961 when Yury Gagarin made the world's first-ever space flight.
The mystery missile in the new launch is not believed to be the Sarmat - or Satan-2 - which appears to be dogged by testing delays.
This is destined to be the largest missile in Putin's nuclear arsenal, described as an 'unstoppable' apocalypse 208-ton intercontinental silo-launched 15,880mph weapon, the size of a 14-storey tower block.
Before properly going into service it is expected to be tested over the South Pole.
Russian Telegram channel VChK-OGPU reported last month: 'The Krasnoyarsk Machine-Building Plant is experiencing a serious shortage of electronic components….for production of strategic missiles.
'The electronics of the new RS 28 [Sarmat] missile system are largely of foreign origin and, due to sanctions, [they] are experiencing a serious shortage.
'Now all efforts are being made to somehow correct the situation with the supply of sanctioned electronics.'