Russia's new nuclear submarine 'successfully' launches Bulava ballistic missile

A Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile has been successfully launched by Russia's new nuclear-powered submarine, the Russian Defence Ministry has announced.

"As part of the final stage of the state testing programme, the new nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine Imperator Alexander III successfully launched a sea-based intercontinental ballistic missile Bulava from the White Sea," it said.

Last Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law withdrawing Russia's ratification of the global treaty that bans nuclear weapons tests, a step condemned by the organisation which promotes adherence to the landmark arms control pact.

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The missile, which the Federation of American Scientists says is designed to carry up to six nuclear warheads, was reportedly launched from an underwater position in the White Sea off Russia's northern coast,

According to the Russian Defence Ministry, the missile hit a target thousands of kilometres away on the Kamchatka peninsula in the Russian Far East.

The Imperator Alexander III is the seventh of the Russian Project 955 Borei (Arctic Wind) class nuclear submarines and the fourth of the modernised Borei-A variant, according to Russian sources.

The Borei class submarine is armed with 16 Bulava missiles. The 12-metre missile has a range of about 8,000km (5,000 miles).