Russia conducts Iskander missile system test in Far East

The Russian military has conducted tests of its Iskander mobile missile systems in the eastern part of the country, the Russian media reported Thursday. It said the launching squads arrived in the area of the eastern Jewish Autonomous Region at nightfall, deployed the systems, set the targets and conducted electronic missile launches. The troops also practiced repelling a terrorist attack on the launchers, the reports said. The nuclear-capable Iskander missiles have a range of 500 kilometers. DEBKAfile: The tests are viewed as a response to last week's announcement by Poland that it will acquire the most advanced type of Patriot missiles from the US.