Russia Launches Nuclear-Capable Ballistic Missile

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Facts

  • On Sunday, Russia claimed to have successfully test-launched an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads from its latest nuclear-powered submarine Imperator Alexander III.1
  • The 12-meter-long Bulava ballistic missile, fired underwater from the White Sea off Russia's northern coast to the easternmost Kamchatka Peninsula, reportedly has an estimated range of about 5K miles.2
  • While the Kremlin didn't reveal when the ballistic missile test took place, it comes after Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin revoked his country's ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty — a step that allows Moscow to resume nuclear testing.3
  • Meanwhile, Ukraine's Air Force claims to have carried out airstrikes on marine and port infrastructure at the Zalyv shipyard in the city of Kerch on Crimean's eastern coast. The attack reportedly damaged the Askold, a 22800 Karakurt-type Kalibr cruise missile carrier.4
  • In other news, Ukraine's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov has ordered an investigation into an alleged Russian ballistic missile attack on the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Transcarpathian Brigade on Friday that reportedly killed more than 20 Ukrainian troops commemorating the Artillery Day.5

Sources: 1TASS, 2Reuters (a), 3Al Jazeera, 4Ukrainska Pravda and 5Reuters (b).

Narratives

  • Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by The Kyiv Independent. Moscow's withdrawal from the nuclear test ban treaty and the launch of a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile is the latest stunt to deter Western countries from helping Ukraine resist the invasion. However, the acts reflect Putin's growing frustration at its forces' failure to achieve victory since the Kremlin launched its offensive against Ukraine last February.
  • Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by RT. Firstly, Russia hasn't abandoned its moratorium on nuclear testing. Putin's decision to withdraw from the treaty that outlaws nuclear weapons tests is aimed at bringing Moscow in line with the US, which hasn't ratified the international agreement. Secondly, Russia is simply enhancing its naval power to counter surface and underwater missile attacks from the enemy.

Predictions