MOSCOW, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Russia says it has successfully tested a short-range interceptor missile designed to be part of a proposed domestic missile defense shield.
The Defense Ministry said the missile was launched from the Sary Shagan anti-ballistic missile testing range in Kazakhstan, RIA Novosti reported Thursday.
With missile defense talks between Russia and NATO close to deadlock, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has threatened to deploy Iskander tactical missiles in the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad and halt disarmament and arms control efforts.
Russia agreed last year to cooperate with NATO on a European missile defense system but wants written guarantees that the U.S.-backed program will not be directed against Russia.
The United States has said the shield is aimed at thwarting threats from Iran and North Korea.
