MOSCOW, December 5 (RIA Novosti) - A spokesman for Russia's Space Forces said Tuesday an anti-missile of the country's missile defense system was launched from a testing range in Kazakhstan.

"The launch was conducted to check the missile's capabilities and prolong its operational life," Alexei Kuznetsov said.

He said its task was not to hit a target.

Kuznetsov said the anti-missile's performance fully complied with its declared characteristics.

He said a silo-based anti-missile was previously launched in November 2004.

Russia's missile defense system, which is deployed around Moscow, is part of the Space Forces. It comprises anti-missile systems, radars, command posts, silo launchers, and a data transfer system.

The missile defense system operates in an automatic mode and can detect ballistic targets, both on its own and on command from an attack warning system. It can intercept and destroy ballistic missile warheads.