Russia fires Sineva missile max. distance

MOSCOW, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- The Sineva ballistic missile Saturday, for the first time, was fired its maximum range of 7,170 miles, says Russia's president.

The missile was launched from a submarine in the Barents Sea, said President Dmitry Medvedev, who viewed the exercise from a nearby ship, RIA Novosti reported.

The launch came amid drills by Russia's northern fleet to test the readiness of naval strategic nuclear forces, the Russian news agency said, noting the Barents Sea exercises involve more than 5,000 military personnel, five submarines and eight surface ships.

The Sineva, which entered service with the Russian navy in July 2007, can carry up to 10 nuclear warheads, RIA Novosti reported, noting Russia's strategic missile forces have said the launching exercises prevent the "weakening of Russia's nuclear deterrent."