Russia announced that it had successfully test-fired an "advanced" intercontinental ballistic missile , weeks after it suspended its participation in the latest nuclear arms control pact with the United States .

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that "a combat crew successfully launched an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from a mobile ground-based missile system" from the test site in Kapustin Yar on Tuesday.

"The warhead of the missile hit an imaginary target at the Sary-Shagan training ground (Kazakhstan) with specific accuracy," the statement added.

Since sending troops to Ukraine last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin has issued veiled warnings that he might use nuclear weapons there if Russia is endangered.

Putin announced at the end of February that Moscow would suspend its participation in the New START treaty, under which Russia and the United States agreed to limit nuclear stockpiles and undergo mutual inspections.

Less than three weeks ago, Putin said he would deploy tactical nuclear weapons in neighboring and ally Belarus, bringing these weapons to the European Union's doorstep.

NATO condemned the two ads.

The Russian Defense Ministry did not specify the type of missile used in the launch on Tuesday, but stated that the aim of the test was "to test advanced combat equipment for intercontinental ballistic missiles."

She added that this "launch allowed to validate the design department and the technical solutions used in the development of new strategic missile systems."

Putin said in February that a new type of intercontinental ballistic missile would be deployed this year, after US information that a new launch failed.

The missile "Sarmat" - which Western analysts called "Satan 2" (Satan 2) is capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads. It is one of Russia's next-generation missiles, which Putin described as "invincible".