A joint unit of the Russian Strategic Missile Force and the Aerospace Force launched a Topol-M silo-based intercontinental ballistic missile on Jan. 16, 2017. (Russian Defense Ministry Photo)

MOSCOW, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Russian Strategic Missile Forces test-launched a Topol RS-12M intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) Tuesday from the Kapustin Yar site in south Russia's Astrakhan Region, the Defense Ministry said.

During the test, experimental data were obtained, which will be used to develop effective means of penetrating missile shields, it said in a statement, giving no details.

The Topol RS-12M is a single-warhead silo-based or road-mobile ICBM, which entered service in 1985.

The missile has a maximum range of 11,000 km and can carry a nuclear warhead with a yield of 800 kilotons. It is also compatible with a multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle.