Russia test-fires hypersonic Kinzhal missile

Russia said on Sunday it had successfully test-fired a hypersonic missile, one of a range of next-generation weapons unveiled by President Vladimir Putin in his state-of-the-nation address earlier this month.

The country's defense ministry released video footage which showed the high-precision Kinzhal missile detaching from a MiG-31 supersonic fighter jet and darting across the dark sky, leaving a fiery trail behind.

"The launch went according to plan, the hypersonic missile hit its target," the ministry added.

'Ideal weapon'

The Kinzhal — the name means a double-edged Russian dagger — was described as "an ideal weapon" by Putin during its unveiling on March 1.

Putin, who is widely expected to be re-elected as Russia's president later this month, claimed that the missile, which flies at 10 times the speed of sound, cannot be intercepted by air-defense systems.

Read more: Putin's certain victory: What you need to know about the Russian presidential election

The missile has been deployed in the Southern Military District since December 1, he added.

Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said on Facebook that Russia had been working to modernize the MiG-31 supersonic jets which will carry the missile.

ap/jm (AFP, Reuters)

Each evening at 1830 UTC, DW's editors send out a selection of the day's hard news and quality feature journalism. You can sign up to receive it directly here.