May 14, 2004 :: Itar-Tass :: News
The press service for Russia’s Strategic Missile Troops commented that Russia has successfully test launched five ICBMs since December 1, 2003. Col.-Gen. Nikolay Solovtsov said in his commander’s report that the Strategic Missile Troops “are combat-ready and capable of resolving military tasks assigned to them under any conditions.” Moreover, “The final decision has been made: the Missile Troops will be armed with both stationary and mobile land-based missile systems.” The story in ITAR-TASS goes on to enumerate the tests:
A test launch of an RS-18 ICBM (SS-19 Stiletto in Western classification terms) was carried out from Baykonur on 5 December 2003. A further two RS-18 ICBMs were launched from Baykonur and a Topol [ICBM] from Plesetsk as part of the Security-2004 strategic command-and-staff exercises in February 2004. A Topol-M ICBM was launched from a mobile launcher on 20 April. The launch was carried out to test its maximum range.
The story does not, however, seem to recognize the two test failures. (Article)
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