MOSCOW, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Russia's Strategic Missile Forces are being equipped with new anti-ballistic missile systems in response to U.S. plans to deploy a missile shield in Europe, Interfax reported Wednesday.

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev visits cosmodrome Plesetsk, which is nestled among the taiga forests of Russia's north, Oct. 12, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    "Considering the changing military and political situation in the world, and U.S. plans to deploy missile shield, as well as the need to adequately respond to these plans, a set of measures are being taken to develop the Strategic Missile Forces," Commander Col. Gen. Nikolai Solovtsov told Interfax news agency.

    New types of silo-based and mobile missile systems capable of countering the prospective U.S. missile defense system will be created, he said, adding that a fifth-generation RS-24 multiple-warhead missile system will enter service with the forces in 2009,

    The new system will strengthen Russia's nuclear deterrence, including its capability to penetrate missile defense shields, he said.

Russia's President Dmitry Medvedev (L) and Commander of Russia's Strategic Missile Forces Col.-Gen. Nikolai Solovtsov visit cosmodrome Plesetsk, which is nestled among the taiga forests of Russia's north, October 12, 2008. (Xinhua/Rueters Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    RS-24 missiles and RS-12M2 missiles of the Topol-M system, which has already been handed over to the army, will become the fundamental elements of the troops' main attack force, he noted.

    Repeatedly ignoring Russia's fierce opposition, the United States is determined to set up a missile shield in Poland and the Czech Republic to counter the so-called threats from Iran.

    Moscow warned that the missile shield will definitely pose a threat to its national security and make the two European countries its target of strike once the situation worsens.

Russia test-fires intercontinental ballistic missile 

Russia test-firs a RS-18 intercontinental ballistic missile from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan Wednesday. (Xinhua/AFP Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    MOSCOW, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- Russia test-fired a RS-18 intercontinental ballistic missile from the Baikonur space center in Kazakhstan Wednesday, news agencies reported.

    "The launch came as part of a program intended to prolong the service life of the RS-18 strategic missile systems," Col. Alexander Vovk, a spokesman for the Russian Strategic Missile Forces, was quoted as saying by Interfax.

Russia test-fires missiles in large-scale drill

    MOSCOW, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- Russia on Sunday test-fired several types of missiles, including intercontinental ones, as part of a month-long war game, local media reported.

    President Dmitry Medvedev watched the launching of the RS-12M Topol intercontinental ballistic missile from the Plesetsk test ground, which hit a set target in Kamchatka of Russia's Far East.