Russia successfully test launches Bulava intercontinental missile

Russia successfully test launched a new Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile on Friday, said the Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov. The spokesman told reporters that Russia's nuclear-powered submarine Yuri Dolgoruky had carried out the launch from underwater -- from the White Sea to the Kamchatka Peninsula. "The missile's warheads reached the Kura firing range at the designated time, which was confirmed by objective control means," Konashenkov said. He noted that this was the third test launch of Bulava missile conducted by the Yuri Dolgoruky submarine, adding previous launches took place in June and August. The Bulava, which is expected to become Russia's main naval strategic missile, is capable of carrying 10 warheads with a range of 8,000 km. Only nine of its previous 16 launches were officially declared successful.