The Russian military today test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile and also launched drills involving missile units in Siberia.<br/>'<br/>The Defense Ministry said in Moscow that Topol-ICBM was launched from the Kapustin Yar launch facility in southwestern Russia, and its practice warhead successfully hit a designated target at the Sary-Shagan firing range in Kazakhstan. The ex-Soviet neighbours have close economic and military ties.<br/>'<br/><br/>The ministry said the missile test was part of efforts to develop new technologies for piercing missile defenses.'<br/>'<br/>The drills come a week after Russia and Belarus wrapped up their massive weeklong war games that caused jitters in some NATO countries, including Poland and the Baltics.<br/>' '''''<br/>'''''<br/>