Russia has successfully test-fired a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine to a target thousands of kilometers away.
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced the successful test launch, the first of its kind for Russia, on Wednesday, according to Reuters. The missile test comes as fears of a new arms race between Russia and the United States are escalating.
The U.S. pulled out of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty between the two countries in August, accusing Russia of violating the agreement by developing and testing missiles with ranges between 310 and 3,400 miles. Russia denied the accusations.
The Kremlin’s latest missile test launched from a new nuclear-powered submarine is currently undergoing testing before it is expected to join the Russian fleet by the end of the year. The sub fired the missile with a dummy payload from the White Sea off Russia’s northern coast to the Kamchatka region in eastern Russia.
The treaty banning intermediate-range missile testing by either country was signed by the U.S. and the then-Soviet Union in 1987 after the Cold War. The U.S. has alleged that Russia has violated the terms of the treaty for years now, but the treaty’s demise has underscored concerns that a new Cold War may develop between the two countries.
The State Department did not respond to a request for comment.
