Moscow (PTI): A top Russian General on Wednesday said that India's Agni-III ballistic missile, which has a range of 3,000 kilometres, could strike targets upto 5,000 kilometres, similar to that of Soviet designed SS-20 nuclear missile.

The Russian General's remarks came as India on Wednesday successfully test-fired its surface-to-surface nuclear capable Agni-III missile for the second time giving the country a capability to hit targets as far as deep inside China.

"The parameters of the missile disclosed by the Indian defence officials... provide solid ground for presuming that Agni-III is similar to the Soviet Army's first twin stage solid fuel propelled BRSD "Pioneer" (NATO codename SS-20) missile with a range of upto five thousand kilometres," Maj Gen Yevgeny Borodunov was quoted as saying by ITAR-TASS.

Gen Borodunov was formerly commander of the 33rd missile division of the Strategic Missile Force, which was the first unit to induct 'Pioneer' missiles in the Soviet Army. He also noted that Agni-III is the first ballistic missile tested on the trajectory crossing the equator.