Russia Flexes New Nuclear Submarine Emperor Alexander III With Successful Ballistic Missile Launch

In the midst of escalating tensions with the West, Russia’s military announced a successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile from their latest nuclear submarine.

What Happened: As reported by Politico, the Russian military has confirmed the successful launch of a ballistic missile from its new nuclear submarine, the Emperor Alexander III. The missile, launched in the White Sea on Sunday, successfully hit a target in the far-eastern region of Kamchatka.

This development comes shortly after President Vladimir Putin retracted Russia’s ratification of a global nuclear test ban. Moscow justifies this move as a necessary step towards achieving parity with the United States.

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The Emperor Alexander III, a new Borei-class nuclear submarine, is engineered to carry 16 Bulava missiles. It is anticipated to be a key naval asset of Russia’s nuclear forces in the years to come. The Russian Navy currently has three Borei-class submarines operational, with several more being tested or under construction.

Why It Matters: This test launch is a demonstration of Russia’s increasing reliance on nuclear power amidst growing international tension. Earlier this year, US intelligence warned that Putin will likely expand Russia’s nuclear arsenal in response to heavy losses in the Ukraine battlefield, as per a Benzinga report.

Back in October, Russia revoked its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, citing the US’s ‘irresponsible attitude to global security’ as the main reason, according to another Benzinga article.

Moreover, the US had warned about Russia’s potential use of tactical nuclear weapons earlier, a claim that Russia had dismissed as ‘absurd and cheap rhetoric’, according to Benzinga.

Image by Stocker plus on Shutterstock

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