Reactor activated on Russian nuclear sub

SEVERODVINSK, Russia, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- A spokesman for Russia's Sevmash shipyard says the reactor on board the country's newest strategic nuclear-powered submarine was activated Friday.

The unidentified spokesman confirmed that the reactor on the Yury Dolgoruky was successfully started and the sub is nearly set to take part in sea trials, RIA Novosti reported.

The first Russian Borey class strategic nuclear submarine was first taken out of dry dock in April 2007 and is docked at the city of Severodvinsk.

Russia has already begun construction on two additional Borey-class submarines, the Alexander Nevsky and the Vladimir Monomakh, which are expected to be completed in 2009 and 2011 respectively.

The new vessels are part of the Russian State Armaments Program for 2007-2015 that is aimed at improving the Russian Navy's capabilities.

RIA Novosti said the Yury Dolgoruky was designed to carry 16 ballistic missiles and travel at a maximum speed of nearly 29 knots.