Russia conducts underwater missile launch

MOSCOW, Sept. 19 (UPI) -- A Russian submarine in the White Sea has launched a ballistic missile from a submerged position as part of a series of tests, an official says.

An unidentified Russian Defense Ministry spokesman confirmed that the strategic cruiser Dmitry Donskoi launched a Bulava missile Thursday as part of Russia's ongoing series of flight development tests, ITAR-TASS reported.

Following the launch, the missile flew to the Kamchatka Peninsula and struck its Kura testing range targets, the Defense Ministry official said.

Bulava missiles are thought to be able to penetrate any anti-missile systems in operation, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said this week.

Kommersant reported that the RSM-56 intercontinental missile test has been deemed a success based on telemetric data from the launch and ensuing missile strike.

The successful test marked the fourth time Russia has successfully tested the technologically advanced missile type, the Russian report said.