On November 29, 2004 Russia carried out a successful test of an anti-missile interceptor. The test was conducted at 11:00 MSK (08:00 UTC) at the Sary-Shagan test site in Kazakhstan. The Space Forces announced that the test was part of the program to extend operational life of the interceptors.
The official statements indicate that is was a test of an interceptor of the A-135 missile defense system deployed around Moscow. The system includes interceptors of two types – short-range 53T6 (Gazelle) and 32 long-range 51T6 (Gorgon). According to some reports (Lenta.ru), it was a test of the short-range 53T6 missile, which seems quite likely – the last test of this missile was conducted on November 2, 1999, while the 51T6 interceptor was last tested on October 2, 2002.
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A report in Kommersant-Daily (30 November 2004) confirmed that the interceptor tested was the 53T6 short-range interceptor.
Is the Gorgon a mid-course intercept weapon and the Gazelle a terminal-phase intercept weapon?
The long-range interceptor (Gorgon) is not quite a mid-course interceptor. Certainly not in the sense of this term that is used in the current U.S. missile defense program. It is more of a terminal exoatmospheric interceptor. The short-range 53T6 would be a true terminal-phase interceptor. In general, these two are very similar to the Spartan and Sprint interceptors of the U.S. Safeguard system.
I have one big question: Is that Russian ABM system around Moscow worth anything today? Can it intercept any warheads? How is it secure, when used, because of nuclear armed anti-missiles?
The system would probably be able to intercept a few warheads. Nuclear-armed interceptors do not seem to be a problem - an intercept is supposed to happen at high enough altitude to prevent any damage on the ground.
To "Meteor" - as you probably realized, comments to older entres are screened and posted only after my approval. It is intended to be that way. And I would strongly urge you to use one name in your comments - there is no sense in inventing all these "Alexes, Sergeys, Boryses" etc. Please, don't make me limit commenting options for other users.