Russia's intercontinental ballistic missile test, considered to be a provocative act amidst Ukrainian tension, was notified and routine, the United States has said.
"This was a previously notified and routine test launch of an ICBM. As required under the new START treaty, Russia provided advance notification of this launch to the United States," White House national security council spokesperson Caitlin Hayden said yesterday.
"Such advance notifications are intended to provide transparency, confidence, and predictability and to help both sides avoid misunderstandings. Russia and the United States routinely flight test their ICBMs and SLBMs," Hayden said in a statement.
Russia had yesterday carried out a successful test launch of an "advanced" intercontinental ballistic missile.
