A test-firing of a new Russian sea-based missile capable
of carrying multiple nuclear warheads ended in failure Tuesday
when the weapon disintegrated after launch, the Interfax news
agency reported.
"After its firing from the submarine Dmitry Donskoy,
the Bulava missile self-liquidated and exploded in the air,"
a military source told the agency.
Interfax said this was the eighth test launch of the Bulava
and the fifth time the firing has been unsuccessful. No damage
or casualties were caused by the rocket's explosion, the source
said.
Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo did not directly comment on the
report but confirmed that a test firing of the Bulava had
taken place Tuesday morning in the White Sea.
He told the agency that "the results of the firing are
being analysed."
The Bulava, which can be equipped with up to 10 individually
targeted nuclear warheads, has a maximum range of 8,000 kilometres
(5,000 miles) and was first successfully tested in December
2005.
