Russia’s Pacific Fleet submarine Generalissimus Suvorov has test-fired a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile from a submerged position in the Sea of Okhotsk. The Project 955A Borei-A vessel launched the missile towards the Chizha test range in the Arkhangelsk Region, thousands of kilometres away, as part of its crew’s planned combat-training programme.
The Russian Defence Ministry reported that tracking data showed the missile’s warheads reached the designated area at the scheduled time. The ministry did not specify when the launch took place, and the reported outcome could not be independently verified.
The launch demonstrated a strategic missile firing route between Russia’s Far East and its northern Arctic region. It was presented as a training event rather than a new procurement decision, deployment announcement or change in operational policy.
Generalissimus Suvorov is designed to carry up to 16 Bulava missiles. Also designated RSM-56, the nuclear-capable submarine-launched ballistic missile has an estimated range of about 8,300 kilometres. The exercise tested the readiness of a Pacific Fleet strategic submarine and its ability to conduct a long-range launch against a designated range in northern Russia.