Moscow "test" launches intercontinental ballistic missile

[Steven]

"When contacted by AFP earlier, a Russian military space agency official
had refused to answer whether the test had been planned before or after
the US-British military attack on Iraq."

Does anyone have anymore information on the typical frequency of these
missle firings.  Does this sound like traditional testing or is Putin
attempting to make a statement?  Comments.

Sydney Morning Herald
March 28 2003

The Russian military has launched a test intercontinental ballistic
missile from its northwestern Plisetsk base, military officials said.

The Topol rocket, which was 18 years old, was fired at the Kamchatka
peninsula, the usual target for most Russian intercontinental test
sights. 

Military officials told AFP that the launch was not linked with the
United States' decision to launch the Iraqi war.

<snip>

Analysts have interpreted Mr Putin's comments to mean that there has
been a rupture in Moscow's relations with Washington sparked by the war.

continued...

http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/03/27/1048653807102.html