Russia test-fires missile amid tensions over NATO defense shield announcement May 23, 2012 -- Updated 1037 GMT (1837 HKT) File photo of Russia's Topol intercontinental ballistic missile launcher on May 6, 2012. The intercontinental missile was launched Wednesday morning The launch comes after NATO says it now has interim ballistic missile defense capability NATO had asked Russia to participate in the system, but negotiations stalled (CNN) -- Russia test-fired a ballistic missile Wednesday, a move that comes amid tensions about a recent NATO announcement that it placed an interim missile defense shield in Europe. The intercontinental missile was launched Wednesday morning from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northwestern Russia, the state-run RIA Novosti news agency reported. "The new intercontinental ballistic missile is intended to strengthen the capabilities of Russia's Strategic Missile Forces, including its capabilities for overcoming anti-missile defenses," Defense Ministry spokesman Vadim Koval told RIA Novosti. The launch comes days after NATO's chief said the alliance now has an interim ballistic missile defense capability in Europe. Among the interim capabilities are missile interceptors loaded on a U.S. ship in the Mediterranean, the first of four anticipated warships with the defense system. A defense radar is also operational in Turkey. The interim system will link the allies' missile defense systems -- satellites, ships, radars and interceptors -- under NATO control from a U.S. base in Ramstein, Germany. NATO has asked Russia to participate in the system, but negotiations have been deadlocked over Russia's demand for a legally binding treaty guaranteeing the shield would not be used as a deterrent to Moscow's own systems. Tensions further increased in December, when Russia's ambassador to NATO suggested that Moscow would close transit routes that send vital supplies to troops in Afghanistan. May 22, 2012 -- Updated 2224 GMT (0624 HKT) Ben Wedeman explains how much has changed since the last presidential election, but much remains the same. May 23, 2012 -- Updated 0922 GMT (1722 HKT) May 22, 2012 -- Updated 1517 GMT (2317 HKT) For years the word "permatemp" has sent shivers down the spines of professionals around the world. Not any longer.