Support The Moscow Times!

Russian Army Says Successfully Tested New Missile Defense System

A new interceptor missile of the Russian missile defense system is launched from the Sary Shagan anti-ballistic missile testing range. Russian Defence Ministry

Russia has successfully test-launched a new missile defense system at its Sary Shagan firing range in neighboring Kazakhstan, the country’s Defense Ministry announced Friday. 

“The anti-missile defense system is in service with the Aerospace Forces and is designed to protect against air and space attacks,” the ministry said in a statement, without naming the system that was tested.

"The new missile defense system, after a series of tests, confirmed its inherent characteristics, and combat crews successfully completed the task, hitting the conditional target with the specified accuracy," said Major General Sergei Grabchuk, head of the Aerospace Forces’ anti-missile defense unit.

The test is the latest in a series of test launches as Russia seeks to upgrade the missile defense system around its capital Moscow. 

In July 2020, it was announced that the Russian army will deploy the next-generation S-500 hypersonic missile defense system to protect Moscow. 

Then-head of the Russian Aerospace Forces Sergei Surovikin — who was placed in charge of Russia’s forces in Ukraine in October — claimed at the time that the S-500 system will be able to destroy satellites and hypersonic weapons in near space.

Following months of setbacks for the Russian military in its offensive on Ukraine, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Wednesday spoke in favor of using next-generation weapons in battle.

Speaking at a government board meeting Shoigu added that state defense orders funding is expected to increase by 150% in 2023 to ensure the Armed Forces are provided with consistent arms and equipment supplies.

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysiss and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview
Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.

By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.

Once
Monthly
Annual
Continue
paiment methods
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.

Read more