News In Brief

Soviets announce successful testing of cruise missiles

The Soviet Union said Saturday that it is conducting successful tests of new long-range cruise missiles launched from the ground. The announcement came from the Defense Ministry and was carried by the official news agency Tass and read on Soviet television news.

The ministry said the Soviet Union had repeatedly suggested to the United States that both countries ban long-range cruises but that the US had ignored the suggestion and begun massive deployment of the weapons.

''In the interests of ensuring its security and the security of other Warsaw Treaty member states, the Soviet Union has adopted appropriate measures,'' the ministry said.