Russian government tests ballistic missiles in the face of crisis with NATO

The Russian Ministry of Defense announced, this Friday (28.Aug.2026), through the official channel on Telegramthe test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile at the Plesetsk State Test Cosmodrome, the country’s main and most active military launch base.

Russia’s intimidation comes amid reports of tension with NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). CIA Director John Ratcliffe warned the Russian government during a secret visit to Moscow, on Tuesday (Aug 25), so as not to attack the alliance.

According to information from the North American newspaper The Wall Street Journalthe warning was motivated by the possibility that Russian President Vladimir Putin (United Russia, right) would try to measure how far NATO members would go to react to an offensive.

Despite the warnings, the Ministry of Defense continued with the military test this Friday (28th August), stating that the missile’s trajectory was “impeccable”.

Read the statement from the Ministry of Defense:

“Impeccable trajectory: perfect launch from Plesetsk. A test launch of a mobile intercontinental ballistic missile was carried out at the Plesetsk State Test Cosmodrome. The training warheads reached the designated area at the Kura proving ground (Kamchatka Peninsula). All established tasks were fully fulfilled. Units of the Strategic Missile Forces carried out the deployment to the battery positioning area launch, as well as the firing preparation and execution procedures. The objective of the launch was to confirm the tactical, technical and flight characteristics of the missile system.”.

ATTACKS AND AWARDS

In addition to the test, the agency also reported new attacks by the Russian Armed Forces against Ukrainian defense industry companies, ports and logistics centers, reinforced by Aerospace Forces aviation with 3-ton bombs.