Russia reports firing a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile from its newest nuclear submarine. In doing so, President Putin is demonstrating his nuclear deterrence capability – shortly after withdrawing from an international treaty.
Just days after withdrawing from a global treaty banning nuclear weapons tests, Russia said it tested a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile. The Russian Defense Ministry said a Bulava missile was launched in the White Sea from the new nuclear submarine “Emperor Alexander III.” was shot down and hit a target on the Kamchatka Peninsula, thousands of kilometers away, at the planned time.
New submarine has 16 missiles and torpedoes on board
This was the last test for the submarine to enter service with the Navy. Russia is massively pushing forward the expansion of its navy. The fleet has three Borei-class nuclear-powered submarines, one is in the testing phase and three more are under construction, the Defense Ministry said. According to Russian information, it is equipped with 16 Bulava missiles and modern torpedo weapons.
It was the first test of a Bulava missile in over a year. The 12-meter-long Bulava missiles, NATO codename SS-NX-30, have a range of 8,000 kilometers and can carry up to six nuclear warheads. They are a centerpiece of Russia’s nuclear strategy.
Aggressive rhetoric and missile tests
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law on Thursday that seals Russia’s withdrawal from the Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Last Friday, however, the Russian Foreign Ministry declared that it would continue to refrain from testing nuclear weapons.
Since the Russian war of aggression began in February 2022, Putin has threatened to use nuclear weapons several times. In the summer of 2023, Moscow shifted tactical nuclear weapons to the territory of its ally Belarus, whose territory borders several NATO and EU states. Given the expansion of NATO through Finland’s accession and the continuous Western support for Ukraine, Russia is repeatedly demonstrating its nuclear deterrence capability with missile tests.
Last week, Russia conducted a major ballistic missile military exercise aimed at training for a “massive nuclear” counterattack. The Kremlin said that ground, sea and air units of the nuclear deterrent forces were deployed and ballistic missiles and cruise missiles were fired.