Russia’s new nuclear submarine tested the Bulava intercontinental missile

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday that the new Russian nuclear-powered submarine Imperator Alexander 3 conducted a successful test launch of the Bulava ballistic missile designed to carry nuclear warheads.

The Ministry of Defense said in a statement via the Telegram messaging application, “Launching a ballistic missile is the final element of the state tests, after which a decision will be made to accept the cruiser into the Navy.”

President Vladimir Putin is pressuring Russia to maintain its nuclear deterrent to confront what he describes as growing security threats, as relations between Moscow and the West have reached new lows due to the war launched by Russia in Ukraine in 2022.

It added that the intercontinental missile, which was launched from an underwater site in the White Sea off the northern coast of Russia, hit a target thousands of kilometers away on the Kamchatka Peninsula in the Far East of Russia.

The ministry did not say when the test took place.

She added that the “Borey”-class strategic missile cruiser is equipped with 16 “Bulava” missiles and modern torpedo weapons.

TASS news agency said that Putin participated in a ceremony last December to place Emperor Alexander III on his feet.

The Defense Ministry said the Navy has three Borei-class nuclear-powered submarines in service, one of which is completing tests and three others under construction.

The Bulava missile, which is 12 meters long, has an estimated range of 8,000 kilometers and can carry up to six nuclear warheads, has become the cornerstone of the naval part of the Russian nuclear triad.

Our standards: Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.