Moscow: In the backdrop of US-led Iraq war, Russia on March 27 fired its deadly "Topol" RS-12M Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) to test the battle readiness of its strategic nuclear missile forces.

The Topol ICBM was fired from mobile launcher by one of the units of Strategic Missile Troops from the Northern Cosmodrome of Plesetsk during inspection of the preparedness of Vladimirsky Missile Army, ITAR-TASS quoted press service of Russia's Strategic Missiles Forces.

The rocket was fired during a command staff exercise at the Eastern Komchatka peninsula, the usual target for most Russian intercontinental tests.

PTI