Russia tests ballistic missile

A Russian nuclear submarine has successfully launched the Bulava ballistic missile to its maximum range of 8000 km, a defence ministry spokesman said on Saturday.

A Russian nuclear submarine has successfully launched the Bulava ballistic missile to its maximum range of 8000 km, a defence ministry spokesman said on Saturday.

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Nuclear submarine Yuri Dolgoruky, based in the northwestern White Sea, launched the ballistic missile on Saturday morning.

The spokesman said the missile had successfully reached its target in the Pacific Ocean in accordance with the necessary shipping security measures.

This was the 16th launch of the Bulava missile. Only eight of the previous 15 test launches were successful.

The first test launch from the Yuri Dolgoruky was conducted June 28, 2011. Before that the missiles were fired from the typhoon-class Dmitry Donskoy submarine.

The Bulava carries up to 10 warheads.