The US military said in a statement that it conducted a test of an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile of the "Minuteman 3" type, as part of a test demonstrating the readiness of the US nuclear force, according to the statement.

The test was carried out at 12:49 am Pacific Time, at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, according to the statement.

The statement added that the test launch "is part of routine and regular activities aimed at proving that the United States' nuclear deterrent is safe, reliable, and effective in addressing 21st-century threats and reassuring the country's allies."

The US military explained that the test of the "Minuteman 3" missile was previously postponed to avoid escalating tensions with China during its show of force near Taiwan in August, adding that the test was conducted after prior notification to the Russian government, in accordance with the provisions of the new "START" treaty.