Russia tests intercontinental ballistic missile following CIA director visit

Russia's Defense Ministry confirmed the successful launch of a solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The missile, launched from a mobile platform in the Arkhangelsk region, reached its designated target at the Kura test site in the Kamchatka region with a range exceeding 6,700km.

The exercise, which included practicing the redeployment of a mobile launch battery to a remote area, took place shortly after an unannounced visit to Moscow by CIA Director John Ratcliffe on August 25. While the Kremlin stated Ratcliffe did not meet with President Vladimir Putin, the visit involved contacts between security services.

Separately, Russian military authorities reported territorial advances in the Sumy, Zaporizhzhia, and Donetsk regions during the week of August 22-28.