Ready to trigger Armageddon: Putin test-fires FOUR nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles from submarine in fresh show of strength

  • The Vladimir Monomakh submarine of the Pacific Fleet launched four Bulava missiles in quick succession
  • Dummy missiles hit designated targets on Chiza shooting range in Arkhangelsk region in northwestern Russia
  • The Vladimir Monomakh is one of the new Borei-class nuclear submarines that carry 16 Bulava missiles eachRussian President Vladimr Putin test-fired four intercontinental ballistic missiles from a submarine in a formidable show of strength to the United States that his nuclear arsenal is primed amid tensions.  

    The Vladimir Monomakh submarine of the Pacific Fleet launched four Bulava missiles in quick succession from an underwater position in the Sea of Okhotsk, which lies near to Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, on Saturday, according to The Defence Ministry.    

    The dummy missiles hit their designated targets on the Chiza shooting range in the Arkhangelsk region in northwestern Russia more than 3,400 miles away, the ministry said in a statement.Intercontinental ballistic missiles are launched by the Vladimir Monomakh nuclear submarine of the Russian navy from the Sera of Okhotsk, Russia, on Saturday

    Intercontinental ballistic missiles are launched by the Vladimir Monomakh nuclear submarine of the Russian navy from the Sera of Okhotsk, Russia, on Saturday

    The Vladimir Monomakh is one of the new Borei-class nuclear submarines that carry 16 Bulava missiles each and are intended to serve as the core of the naval component of the nation's nuclear forces for decades to come. In 2018 another submarine of the same type performed a similar launch of four Bulava missiles which mimicked the conditions of a major nuclear conflict and was a costly demonstration of the efficiency of the country's nuclear deterrent. 

    Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a report to President Putin that the launch wrapped up large-scale drills of Russia's strategic nuclear forces that began on Wednesday. 

    The Vladimir Monomakh nuclear submarine of the Russian navy is seen before a practice missile launch in the Sea of Okhotsk, Russia, on Saturday

    The Vladimir Monomakh nuclear submarine of the Russian navy is seen before a practice missile launch in the Sea of Okhotsk, Russia, on Saturday

    The crew of the Vladimir Monomakh nuclear submarine conducts a practice missile launch from the Sea of Okhotsk, Russia

    The crew of the Vladimir Monomakh nuclear submarine conducts a practice missile launch from the Sea of Okhotsk, Russia

    The manoeuvres also saw another Russian nuclear submarine perform a practice launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Barents Sea, a ground-based ICBM was launched from the Plesetsk facility in northwestern Russia and Tu-160 and Tu-95 strategic bombers fired cruise missiles at test targets at an Arctic range.It comes as Russia has expanded its military drills in recent years amid tensions with the West as relations have sunk to post-Cold War lows after Moscow's 2014 annexation of Ukraine´s Crimean Peninsula.

    The series of missile launches comes less than two months before the New START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) U.S.-Russian arms control treaty expires in early February.  

    Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a report to President Putin (pictured) that the launch wrapped up large-scale drills of Russia's strategic nuclear forces that started on Wednesday

    Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a report to President Putin (pictured) that the launch wrapped up large-scale drills of Russia's strategic nuclear forces that started on Wednesday

    Intercontinental ballistic missiles are launched by the Vladimir Monomakh nuclear submarine of the Russian navy from the Sera of Okhotsk, Russia

    Intercontinental ballistic missiles are launched by the Vladimir Monomakh nuclear submarine of the Russian navy from the Sera of Okhotsk, Russia

    The submarine of the Russian navy is seen before a practice missile launch in the Sea of Okhotsk, Russia, on Saturday

    The submarine of the Russian navy is seen before a practice missile launch in the Sea of Okhotsk, Russia, on Saturday 

    Russian Karelia nuclear submarine's crew work during manoeuvres on Wednesday 9 which included the launch of a ballistic missile from the Karelia nuclear submarine in the Barents Sea, Russia

    Russian Karelia nuclear submarine's crew work during manoeuvres on Wednesday 9 which included the launch of a ballistic missile from the Karelia nuclear submarine in the Barents Sea, Russia

    Moscow and Washington have discussed the possibility of its extension but so far have failed to overcome their differences.

    New START was signed in 2010 by U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

    It limits each country to no more than 1,550 deployed nuclear warheads and 700 deployed missiles and bombers. and envisages sweeping on-site inspections to verify compliance.

    A Russian Tu-160 strategic bomber fires a cruise missile at test targets, during a military drills, Russia, on Wednesday 9 December

    A Russian Tu-160 strategic bomber fires a cruise missile at test targets, during a military drills, Russia, on Wednesday 9 December

    A ground-based intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Plesetsk facility in northwestern Russia on Wednesday 9

    A ground-based intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Plesetsk facility in northwestern Russia on Wednesday 9 

    The Russian military has conducted sweeping drills of its strategic nuclear forces that featured several practice missile launches

    The Russian military has conducted sweeping drills of its strategic nuclear forces that featured several practice missile launches

    After both Moscow and Washington withdrew from the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty last year, New START is the only remaining nuclear arms control deal between the two countries still standing.

    Arms control advocates have warned that its expiration would remove any checks on U.S. and Russian nuclear forces, in a blow to global stability.

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