© Russian Defense Ministry
The interceptor tested at the Sary-Shagan test range is apparently the replacement of the 53T6 anti-ballistic missiles, which serve as part of an ABM shield protecting the Russian capital. The video released by the ministry on Saturday shows a characteristic transport-launch container of the projectile being loaded from a transport vehicle to a launcher and placed inside a silo before launch.
© Russian Defense Ministry
The Moscow anti-missile shield includes several long-range interceptors and dozens of short-range interceptors, which are meant to stop incoming ICBM warheads with aerial nuclear explosions.
The 53T6s, however, are approaching expiry date and need replacing. The Russian military decided that the necessary restocking of the silos is a good opportunity to place a more capable rocket into service.
Comment: The only kind of reminder that Americans seem to understand. And even then, some are so hopelessly deluded that even knowledge of Russia's defense capabilities does nothing to dampen their belligerence.