Russia test-fires ballistic missile

MOSCOW, Nov. 1 (UPI) -- A Russian nuclear submarine has successfully test-fired a ballistic missile, officials say.

The launch Sunday involved an intercontinental ballistic missile fired from the submerged submarine Bryansk in the Barents Sea, Russia's Ministry of Defense announced. The Bryansk can carry 16 ballistic missiles.

The success follows a series of embarrassing failures for Russia in tests on its new-generation Bulava missile, the French news agency AFP said. An attempted launch from a submarine failed in the most recent test in October, the report said.

Russia's nuclear forces include land-based missiles, nuclear submarines with sea-launched missiles and strategic bombers equipped with nuclear bombs and nuclear-capable cruise missiles, Russia's RIA-Novosti reported.