Russia test-fires missiles

Updated 12:19 PM ET October 1, 1999

MOSCOW, Oct. 1 (UPI) Russia successfully test-fired two ballistic missiles Friday, Defense Ministry sources said.

As part of a regular missile testing program, a nuclear submarine submerged in the Sea of Okhotsk in Russia's Far East fired a missile that hit its designated target 4,300 miles northwest in the Barents Sea.

Later, a new Topol-M intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Arctic Plesetsk cosmodrome, flying 4,200 miles east to hit its designated target in a remote spot on the Kamchatka peninsula.

The advanced Topol-M, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead, is designed to replace older Soviet missiles that are to be dismantled under the terms of the START-II nuclear arms reduction treaty.

Russia has conducted several test-firings of Topol-M and other missiles in recent months, flexing its military muscles after a long break in tests due to the funding problems affecting the Russian military.

-- Nabi (nabi7@yahoo.com), October 01, 1999

Answers

I'm sure they would never consider using these against the US, since we're such good friends now...

Right Maria???

-- Nabi (nabi7@yahoo.com), October 01, 1999.

Great...just when you thought the bear had gone into permanat hybernatin...wonder if this has any link to the 'fly-bys' of Iceland and Alaska in the past few months? Sure as hell hope not. And the way this story reads, it sounds like Ivan is finally putting all that free-market experience together with the accuracy of the new missles...

Rut-Roh-Reorge.....

-- Billy-Boy (Rakkasn@Yahoo.com), October 01, 1999.

Nabi, why have you never answered my questions about ships vs subs? Never said they were our friends, just said that this is nothing new. Where were your investigative reporting capabilities thirty years ago? We and they test missiles all the time. Thanks for the info.

-- Maria (anon@ymous.com), October 01, 1999.

Quick now, lets give them some money and food! Quick, Quick.

-- && (&&@&&.&), October 01, 1999.

due to the funding problems affecting the Russian military.

Yeah, the only funding problems I see is the paying of their soldiers. The poverty and shambles of the soviet people speak volumes about where the money is really going....into new weapons like the Topol-M. This missile is designed solely for the U.S. A direct hit after 4200 miles? It's good news/ bad news. The good news is that it will hit the target, and not go astray. The bad news is that this will carry a deadly payload.

Thanks nabi.

-- BB (peace2u@bellatlantic.net), October 01, 1999.

Hey BB

Those funding problems....did ya hear about the Major in the Russian Army who got caught buying cut-rate purina for the troop's mess? Low grade dog food....and I thought the food in my mess hall was nasty...

-- Billy-Boy (Rakkasn@Yahoo.com), October 01, 1999.

Look at the bright side....it WAS Purina.

-- BB (peace2u@bellatlantic.net), October 01, 1999.

Maria: "Nabi, why have you never answered my questions..."

Maria, This is the fourth time on the third thread that I have asked YOU these questions.

Maria, Please tell me what specific signs, and what specific circumstances would cause you to have serious concern that Russia (or any foreign nation) might attack America. Thanks... I would like Maria to tell me specifically what would set off alarm bells in her head that Russia is poised to attack. This is actually the second thread that I have asked her that, and she continues to dodge this question.

So why aren't you answering?

-- Mumsie (Shezdremn@aol.com), October 01, 1999.

At least it was PURINA --we know what's inside the can. Does ANYONE know what is inside those weiner casings we buy by the billions? I'm sure glad this test launch won't wake up Washington to the fact that Russia just 48 hours ago was pleading for what? 6 million TONNES of food?? Glad they have their priorities straight.

-- profit_of_doom (doom@helltopay.ca), October 01, 1999.

XXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX FRIDAY, OCTOBER 01, 1999 17:09:55 ET XXXXX 'STAR WARS' MISSILE DEFENSE TEST SET FOR SATURDAY NIGHT The Defense Department is preparing for a first test of the interceptor warhead of the planned National Missile Defense system. With the fiery liftoff of a missile from Vandenberg Air Force Base on Saturday night, the nation's missile defense program may take a large step toward becoming reality. Exact details of the planned launch are classified, but it will occur between 7 and 11 p.m. PST, it has been learned. It will be the first test flight on hardware that could begin shielding the continental United States from a missile attack by 2005. The Defense Department is examining whether a 141-pound "kill vehicle'' can locate and smash a "warhead" at a collision speed of 17,000 miles per hour. The White House will decide next summer whether to deploy an initial defensive system with 20 missiles at a site in Alaska. That decision will be based on three test shots, two of which must be successful. The LOS ANGELES TIMES is reporting in fresh editions: "In Saturday's test, an intercontinental Minuteman missile will be shot out sea from Vandenberg, north of Santa Barbara, carrying a dummy warhead. About 20 minutes after the launch, an interceptor missile will be launched from the Marshall Islands 4,300 miles from Vandenberg. If all goes as authorities hope, the interceptor will strike the dummy warhead over the Pacific." Developing...

-- sandi (sandihere@mailcity.com), October 02, 1999.