epa07249018 Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) and Head of the Russian Armed Forces General Staff, First Deputy Defense Minister, Army General  Valery Gerasimov (R) visit the National Defense Control Center in Moscow, Russia, 26 December 2018. During his visit to the National Defense Control Center, Vladimir Putin watched through a video link a successful test launch of the Avangard intercontinental strategic missile with a gliding hypersonic warhead. The Avangard hypersonic intercontinental strategic missile system is to enter into service in 2019.  EPA/MICHAEL KLIMENTYEV / SPUTNIK / KREMLIN POOL / POOL MANDATORY CREDIT