Russia says it's conducted a successful test of its own missile defense system

Russia’s air force has conducted a test of its short-range missile defense system, according to defense officials. The tests took place at the Sary-Shagan range in Kazakhstan.

The tested anti-ballistic missiles “successfully completed the task and hit their target in the set amount of time,” reported Deputy Commander Lieutenant General Victor Gumenny, who observed the tests.

“The purpose behind this launch was to confirm the tactical and technical capacities of the missile defense system,” said the Defense Ministry.

At the St. Petersburg Economic Forum in June 2016, President Vladimir Putin said Russia would be forced to respond to the development of American missile defense systems in Europe. Russia, Putin stressed, has achieved significant success in the modernization and development of its nuclear arsenal and missile defense systems, which, according to him, remains the only way in which to maintain a global balance in terms of military strength.