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An unarmed Minuteman III missile launches during a test at Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., on Feb. 23, 2021. The Air Force says such tests, including one Feb. 9, 2023, are routine. (U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command via AP)
No evidence that test of US nuclear missile was done to threaten Russia
If Your Time is short
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Video in this post comes from The Associated Press coverage of a Feb. 9 U.S. nuclear missile test.
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The Air Force described it as routine.
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News reports on the testing did not mention Russia.
An awkwardly worded TikTok post claimed that President Joe Biden launched nuclear "test" bombs to threaten Russia.
"Pres.Biden launch 5 nuclear bomb unarmed as Russia treat," the June 24 post read. "All 5 successful in defense test."
TikTok identified the video as part of its efforts to counter inauthentic, misleading or false content. (Read more about PolitiFact’s partnership with TikTok.)
A close look at the video in the post led us to more details: This involved a Feb 9 U.S. Air Force test of an unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile. In news reports covering the test, there was no mention of Russia.
The video accompanying the post showed a missile launch and came from The Associated Press.
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Text in the video quoted parts of a Feb. 10 AP news story from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. It reported that the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command said an unarmed Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile was launched over the Pacific Ocean to test the U.S. defense system.
"While the test occurred amid U.S. concerns about North Korea’s missile tests and the transit of a Chinese spy balloon across the United States, the Air Force said the launch was routine," the story said.
The Air Force Global Strike Command said the test was "intended to demonstrate that the United States’ nuclear deterrent is safe, secure, reliable and effective to deter 21st century threats and reassure our allies. Such tests have occurred over 300 times before, and this test is not the result of current world events."
The AP news story, a Washington Examiner story and the Air Force statement did not mention Russia.
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Another Minuteman III test was done April 19.
We rate the TikTok post False.
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Our Sources
TikTok, post (archived), June 24, 2023
Associated Press, "US test launches unarmed intercontinental ballistic missile," Feb. 10, 2023
Air Force Global Strike Command, "Minuteman III test launch showcases readiness of U.S. nuclear force's safe, effective deterrent," Feb. 10, 2023
Air Force Global Strike Command, "Minuteman III test launch showcases readiness of U.S. nuclear force's safe, effective deterrent," April 19, 2023
Washington Examiner, "US launches unarmed ICBM into Pacific days after shooting down Chinese spy balloon," Feb. 10, 2023
The Tribune, "Minuteman III mission launches from Vandenberg: ‘Always ready to defend the United States,’" April 19, 2023
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No evidence that test of US nuclear missile was done to threaten Russia
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