Russia Test Launches Nuclear Submarine ICBMs, Says It Will Drop Out Of 2016 Nuclear Summit


Tensions between Russia and the West edged up on Wednesday as Russian submarines test fired intercontinental ballistic missiles for the second time in one week. Russia’s apparent demonstration of its nuclear prowess was just one of two nuclear-related incidents to catch the West’s attention this week, as subordinates of Russian President Vladimir Putin informed Washington that it would not be participating in the 2016 Nuclear Security Summit.

The test firing of intercontinental ballistic missiles was reported by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty on Wednesday, and the Russian Defense ministry confirmed the firing of the missiles. The Russian submarine “Tula” conducted the ICBM test firing, and the sub targeted a testing range in the Kamchatka region on the Pacific Ocean.

The missile used in the test was a Sineva intercontinental ballistic missile, which has a range of more than 7,400 miles. The Sineva can carry up to four supersonic warheads and it is designed to launch from Delta IV class submarines capable of carrying up to 16 Sineva missiles.

A previous nuclear submarine test firing occurred in the Barents Sea on October 29. That test involved a Bulava missile, which is capable of carrying up to 10 hypersonic, independently guided, maneuverable warheads with a yield of between 100 and 150 kilotons each. The Bulava missile has a range in excess of 5,600 miles.

Russia has continually stressed its commitment to ensuring that its naval forces are fully modernized, and the tests are ostensibly a facet of that effort. As the Washington Times notes, Russia’s Defense Minister Segei Shoigu has insisted that his nation will proceed with its plans, even though NATO is not happy with such developments.

“These proposals must ensure that our forces are re-equipped with modern weapons and military equipment,” Shoigu said in August. “I will not hide that this, in large parts, is linked to events of recent months.”

“Events of recent months” likely refers to Russia’s ongoing tensions with the West, which have reached new heights following Russia’s move to involve itself in the internal politics of the Ukraine. Russia has supplied equipment and — by some accounts — personnel to Ukrainian separatists, while Ukrainian politicians call the interference tantamount to a full-scale invasion.

One key component in the tensions between Russia and the West has been Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin’s critics argue that he has assumed a hardline stance against the West, while proponents claim that he has simply exercised the prerogatives befitting a country of Russia’s influence.

Further complicating relations between Russia and the West, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday that it has decided not to prepare for a nuclear summit in Washington in 2016. The 2016 Nuclear Security Summit, Russian officials said according to the Associated Press, would do little to advance nuclear security beyond the levels achieved by previous summits. Further, the officials complained that the United States has always assumed the role of “the main and privileged player” in such talks.

Russian officials said that Moscow would instead look to expand cooperation within the International Atomic Energy Agency.

[Lead image via Dig Deeper]

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