Russia says it successfully test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) that is to be a key element of its nuclear arsenal for decades but has been plagued by problems.
Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov told Russian news agencies the submarine "Vladimir Monomakh" test-fired a Bulava missile from the White Sea and that the missile hit a testing ground in Kamchatka.
It was the first Bulava test conducted by the "Vladimir Monomakh," the third of Russia's new-generation, Borei-class submarines to be commissioned.
At least eight of some 20 Bulava tests have been unsuccessful, including one in September 2014.
President Vladimir Putin has emphasized that Russia will continue to seek to upgrade its nuclear arsenal for the foreseeable future.
Russia has reacted coolly to U.S. calls to bring limits on nuclear weapons lower than those set in the 2010 New START treaty.
Based on reporting by ITAR-TASS and Interfax
Russia's navy will test-fire an intercontinental ballistic missile from one of its new-generation, nuclear-powered submarines on September 10.
Russian news agencies on September 9 quoted sources in the defense industry as confirming the Borei-class submarine "Vladimir Monomakh" left its port in Severodvinsk the previous evening and headed into the White Sea for the test.
The submarine will reportedly launch a Bulava ICBM from a test area of Russia's Northern Fleet.
The head of the Russian Navy, Admiral Viktor Chirkov, will be aboard the submarine during the firing exercise.
Russia's Defense Ministry announced in May that it would be conducting tests of the Bulava missile in the autumn.
Another Borei-class submarine -- the "Yuri Dolgoruky" -- is due to test-fire a Bulava ICBM in November.
The last test fire of the Bulava missile was conducted in September 2013 from a third Borei-class submarine -- the "Aleksandr Nevsky" -- and was unsuccessful.
The Bulava ICBM -- with a range of some 8,000 kilometers -- has been plagued by problems.
Roughly half of the 19 test launches have failed.
