Russia: Ballistic missile test a failure

MOSCOW, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- Russia's Defense Ministry said Thursday the country's latest test of its Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile was a failure.

The ministry said in a statement the test Wednesday in the White Sea marked the seventh time a test firing of the submarine-launched missile resulted in failure, RIA Novosti reported.

"The first two stages functioned smoothly, but the flight faltered at the third stage. There was a technical failure in the third stage engines rendering them unstable," the ministry said.

The last test of the Bulava missile took place in July and ended with the missile malfunctioning during its first stage and self-destructing.

In the wake of that failure, the next test of the missile was delayed multiple times until finally taking place Wednesday.

The Russian news agency said the Bulava SS-NX-30 missile, which has had five successful tests to date, is capable of carrying 10 multiple independently targetable warheads. The three-stage missile has a maximum range of more than 5,000 miles.