Medvedev observes Topol missile launch

PLESETSK, Russia, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Russian President Dmitry Medvedev observed a the test launch of a Topol intercontinental ballistic missile in northern Russia Sunday, officials said.

Russian military officials said the Topol (SS-25 Sickle) missile was launched by its strategic missile force at Plesetsk, RIA Novosti reported. The news agency said the Topol is a single-warhead intercontinental ballistic missile about the same size and shape as the U.S. Minuteman ICBM.

The missiles' service life was extended to 21 years after Russia conducted a series of successful test launches last year. Officials said it will be progressively retired over the next decade and be replaced by a mobile version of the Topol-M (SS-27 Sickle B) missile.

Medvedev earlier observed Russia's northern fleet conduct military exercises in the Barents Sea, including a test of the Sineva ballistic missile that flew a record 7,170 miles, RIA Novosti reported.