MOSCOW. April 12 (Interfax) - Russia has notified the United States about a test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile performed on Tuesday, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
"Yes, every notice of launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles is sent as usual," Ryabkov said in response to a question on whether Russia had informed the United States about the test launch consistent with the 1988 treaty.
The Russian Defense Ministry said earlier on Wednesday that an intercontinental ballistic missile was test fired from a range in the Astrakhan region and its warhead hit the target at a range in Kazakhstan.
Ryabkov said earlier that every form of notification given under the New START treaty, including test launch notices, had been put on hold. Still, the Ballistic Missile Launch Notification Agreement of 1988 remained valid.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on February 21, 2023, that Russia was suspending its participation in the New START without withdrawing from it. Putin submitted a respective document to the State Duma later that day.
The State Duma unanimously passed the bill suspending Russia's participation in the New START on February 22.
The bill says that a decision on the resumption of Russia's fulfillment of the New START would be made by the Russian president.