Moscow - Russia's military successfully test-fired two of its missiles at the weekend in a highly public demonstration that the country's ageing nuclear arsenal was in working order. Beaming strategic air force pilots posed for Russian television with flowers and sparkling wine to celebrate a rare triple missile launch from land, sea and air.
Apart from demonstrating the military's growing confidence under President Vladimir Putin, they served to prove that Russia's large but ageing nuclear arsenal was in good working order and Moscow had its finger firmly on the trigger. The message was seen as directed largely at the United States, with which Moscow is in dispute over Washington's plans to build a missile defence system.
NATO Secretary General George Robertson flies to Moscow this week to underpin improved ties and tackle the issues of the proposed US national missile shield and the alliance's further eastward expansion. Mr Robertson's arrival today for a three-day visit will set the seal on efforts by both Moscow and the alliance to get relations back on track.