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Bulava missile launched from Barents Sea

Russia’s strategic nuclear-powered submarine “Yury Dolgoruky” on Wednesday test-launched a Bulava ballistic missile from the Barents Sea.

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Yesterday’s launch from the Barents Sea was special in two ways, according to the Ministry of Defense. Firstly, this was the first operational test launch of Bulava in line with the program of combat training. All previous launches were part of development testing of the new weapon. Secondly, this was the first time a Borey submarine had a full set of missiles on board when the launch was conducted.

Yury Dolgoruky” can carry 16 Bulava missiles, which each can carry ten nuclear warheads. The vessel was taken into service in the Northern Fleet in January 2013.

The Launch, which was conducted from submerged position in the Barents Sea, was successful, and the missile hit its target on the Kura test site on Kamchatka.

The Ministry of Defense has published a video from Wednesday’s launch.

The launch also gave Russia an opportunity to test the country’s early warning system, Deputy Minister of Defense Yury Borisov says to RIA Novosti.  

The same day Russia held a large-scale military air operation with strategic bombers flying close to Norwegian air space.

Last time Russia conducted a test launch of the new missile, was in September, when another Borey class submarine, “Vladimir Monomakhtest-launched its first missile from the White Sea.

Yury Dolgoruky” was the first of a total of eight Borey class submarines that Russia plans to build by 2020.