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December 27, 2018

Russia Tests New "Hypersonic" Nuclear-Capable Missile
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Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that Russia's military
will begin deploying a new hypersonic missile capable of delivering
nuclear warheads at 20 times the speed of sound. Putin called a recent
successful test of the missile system a "perfect New Year's gift for the
country."

President Vladimir Putin: "The new Avangard missile system is invincible
for today's and future air defense systems and missile defense systems.
This is a big success and a big victory."

Russia's reported successful test of its new hypersonic missile came
after the Trump administration said in October it plans to leave the
INF, or Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, signed in 1987 by
former President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev. The
treaty helped to eliminate thousands of land-based missiles in Europe.


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