MOSCOW, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Russia successfully test-launched two intercontinental ballistic missiles this week, the Defense Ministry said Friday.

    The RSM-50 (Stingray) missiles, launched Oct. 6 and 7 from the Pacific Fleet's nuclear-powered submarines Svyatoi Georgy Pobedonosets and Ryazan, hit their designated targets in north Russia, the ministry said in a statement.

    The success of the tests proves the reliability of the Russian navy's nuclear arsenal, the statement said.

    The Stingray, first manufactured in the 1970s, is one of the oldest weapons that remains commissioned in the Russian navy. It is capable of carrying three to seven individually targeted nuclear warheads and has a maximum range of 8,000 km.