12 January 2016, 09:24 GMT
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Forces in Russia's southern Kuban region will carry out several training launches from Iskander-M ballistic missile systems at distances of up to 500 km (310 miles), the Russian Defense Ministry said Tuesday.
"Servicemen will carry out several training missile launches at various targets at distances of up to 500 km," Russia's Southern Military District said in a statement published on the ministry's website.
The 9K720 Iskander-M entered into service in 2006 to replace the OTR-23 Oka missile system, retired following the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Iskander missiles are nuclear-capable and can engage a wide range of targets, from enemy military units to underground command centers.
The Iskander is characterized by its high mobility and maneuverability, as it takes just 20 minutes to put the system in operational readiness.
