Russia’s Newest Strategic Sub Fires Bulava Missile From Pacific to Arctic Test Range

Russia’s Pacific Fleet has launched a nuclear-capable Bulava submarine-launched ballistic missile from beneath the Sea of Okhotsk, sending it across Russian territory to the Chizha test range in the Arkhangelsk region, Defence Blog reported on October 28.

The missile was fired from the Project 955A Borei-A class strategic nuclear-powered submarine Generalissimo Suvorov during scheduled combat training.

“The crew of the Project 955A Borei-A class strategic nuclear-powered missile submarine Generalissimo Suvorov of the Pacific Fleet, in accordance with the combat training plan, test-fired a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile aimed at the Chizha test range in the Arkhangelsk region,” the Russian Defense Ministry said.

According to the Pacific Fleet, the missile was launched while the submarine remained submerged, and tracking data indicated that its warheads reached the designated area at the expected time.

The launch sent the missile from Russia’s Far East toward the northern part of European Russia.

Generalissimo Suvorov is one of Russia’s newest ballistic missile submarines and the third vessel of the upgraded Borei-A class.

The submarine was laid down at the Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk on December 26, 2014, and entered Russian Navy service on December 29, 2022.

Before commissioning, it carried out another Bulava launch on November 3, 2022, firing from the White Sea toward the Kura test range on the Kamchatka Peninsula—essentially the reverse direction of the latest test.

In 2023, Generalissimo Suvorov transferred from the Northern Fleet to the Pacific Fleet via the Northern Sea Route and arrived at its permanent base in Vilyuchinsk, Kamchatka, on October 16, 2023. It now serves with Russia’s 25th Submarine Division.

The Bulava is a solid-fuel, submarine-launched ballistic missile developed by the Moscow Institute of Thermal Engineering, the same organization behind Russia’s Topol-M and Yars land-based missile systems.

Because it is launched from underwater, a Borei-class submarine can fire without surfacing and exposing its position.

Each Borei-class submarine can carry 16 Bulava missiles. Each Bulava can carry multiple nuclear warheads capable of separating and flying toward individual targets. The Barents Observer has reported that a single missile can carry six warheads.

Russia formally accepted the Bulava into service in May 2024 after a lengthy test program that began with its first launch in 2005.

Earlier, reports emerged that Russia’s Black Sea Fleet has avoided open waters for five consecutive months, launching Kalibr cruise missiles directly from its base in Novorossiysk.

Help Ukrainian Units Hold the Drone Line

Download APP