Rise and shine! The U.S. Air Force kicked off Wednesday with a dramatic sunrise launch as an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile soared from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California 🚀. The test was about more than just a spectacle—it’s a routine check of the U.S.’s nuclear deterrent system.
The missile’s unarmed reentry vehicle traveled roughly 4,200 miles across the Pacific before splashing down at the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command’s Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site in Kwajalein Atoll, in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. Mission accomplished ✔️.
"It’s a comprehensive assessment to verify and validate the ICBM system’s ability to perform its critical mission," said Lieutenant Colonel Karrie Wray, commander of the 576th Flight Test Squadron, to Stars and Stripes. Fun fact: as of late 2024, around 400 Minuteman III missiles sit in silos across the U.S. northern tier.
In a nod to Cold War etiquette, the U.S. gave Mother Russia a heads-up before the launch. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed that Washington notified Moscow in advance, and he reiterated Russia’s continued commitment to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT).
But it wasn’t all calm vibes on the world stage. At a Russian Security Council meeting on the same day, President Vladimir Putin warned that if other countries conduct nuclear tests, Russia will have to take proportionate measures. 💬 "Back in my 2023 address to both houses of parliament, I noted that if the United States or other state parties to the relevant treaty carried out such tests, Russia would accordingly have to take proportionate responsive measures."
Putin even instructed Russia’s Foreign and Defense Ministries—and other departments—to draft proposals for possible nuclear weapons tests if needed. It’s a reminder of the strategic balance that keeps global peace, for better or worse.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin hailed its own homegrown superweapons. Putin presented state decorations to designers of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and the Poseidon nuclear-powered unmanned underwater vehicle, calling them "historic for decades to come."
And for a blast from the past: former President Donald Trump had ordered the U.S. to resume nuclear tests, arguing other countries seemed to be doing the same. 🤷♂️
In a world where firepower meets diplomatic heads-up, this test highlights the tightrope walk of deterrence. Global security stakes are high—and every launch, alert, and statement adds a new chapter to the nuclear playbook.
What’s next? Whether you’re a policy nerd, a defense buff, or just scrolling for the latest headlines, this story shows that even routine tests can trigger big reactions on the world stage. Keep your eyes on the skies—and your feed for updates! 🌍✨
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U.S. test-fires intercontinental missile, notifies Russia in advance
cgtn.com
