The launch of the "Bulava" missile, the first in just over a year, comes as Russia ramps up nuclear rhetoric since revoking its ratification of a key nuclear test ban treaty.

North Korea launched a ballistic missile Tuesday as the US prepared to mark its Independence Day, triggering a Twitter outburst from President Donald Trump who urged China to "end this nonsense once and for all".

North Korea fires a ballistic missile into the sea, South Korean and US officials say.

US imposes fresh sanctions on Iranian companies and individuals over a recent ballistic missile test.

President Vladimir Putin says Russia will add more than 40 intercontinental ballistic missiles to its nuclear arsenal in 2015.