Russia Test-Fires Intercontinental Missile From Submarine

Russia has test-fired a Sineva intercontinental ballistic missile from a submarine in the Barents Sea as part of tests on the reliability of the navy's strategic forces.

The Russian Defense Ministry said the liquid-fueled missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads, was fired by the submarine "Tula" and targeted a testing range in the Kamchatka region on the Pacific Ocean.

The Sineva, which has a range of about 12,000 kilometers, became operable in 2007 as part of Moscow's efforts to shore up Russia's nuclear deterrent.

This test firing was the second ICBM launch from a Russian nuclear submarine in the past week.

President Vladimir Putin has underlined the importance of the nuclear deterrent during Moscow's standoff with the West over the Ukraine crisis.

Based on reporting by Reuters and TASS