North Korea has flexed its military muscle with the test of a new giant solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile called the Hwasong-19, state media said on Friday, amid international uproar over its troops deployed to help Russia in Ukraine.

State news agency KCNA praised it as “the world’s most powerful strategic missile”.

While questions remain about North Korea’s ability to guide such a missile and protect a nuclear warhead as it re-enters the atmosphere, the Hwasong-19, like North Korea’s other recent ICBMs, has demonstrated range to hit almost anywhere in the United States.

“The new ICBM proved to the world that the hegemonic position we have secured in the development and manufacture of nuclear delivery,” leader Kim Jong-un said as he oversaw the launch, KCNA reported.

Thursday’s missile launch, just days before next week’s pivotal US presidential election, drew swift condemnation from Washington and its allies in South Korea, Japan and Europe, as well as the United Nations secretary-general.