Russia Successfully Tests Nuclear-Capable ‘Bulava’ Intercontinental Ballistic Missile

Russia recently announced a successful test launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) capable of carrying nuclear warheads, marking a significant development in the country’s nuclear capabilities.

The launch of the “Bulava” missile comes at a time of heightened global concern as Russia revokes its ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT)—further exacerbating the deepening tensions between Russia and the United States, who have accused Moscow of using reckless nuclear rhetoric.

Russia’s Successful Bulava Missile Test

On Sunday, November 5, the Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the successful launch of the Bulava ICBM from one of its submarines, the nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine cruiser Imperator Alexander III.

The missile was fired from an underwater position in the White Sea, located on Russia’s northwest coast, and reached its target thousands of kilometers away on the Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula.

“Firing a ballistic missile is the final element of state tests, after which a decision will be made to accept the cruiser into the Navy,” a ministry statement said, cited by Reuters.

The Bulava missile, approximately 12 meters (40 feet) in length, is designed to be a cornerstone of Russia’s nuclear triad, comprising land-based ICBMs, submarine-launched ballistic missiles, and strategic bombers.

Russia's new strategic nuclear submarine, the Imperator Alexander III, successfully tested a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile, the defense ministry said https://t.co/iXYYEPXnDW pic.twitter.com/1blQtEKNFJ

— Reuters (@Reuters) November 5, 2023

Its impressive range of over 8,000 kilometers (approximately 5,000 miles) enables it to reach distant targets with remarkable precision.

Withdrawal from Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

Russia’s recent test launch of the Bulava missile is part of a larger pattern of escalating nuclear rhetoric and military posturing by the Russian government.

This development follows Russia’s decision to withdraw its ratification of the CTBT, a global treaty that prohibits all nuclear explosions, including live tests of nuclear weapons.

The CTBT, which was signed but not ratified by Washington, has not yet entered into force due to the lack of ratification by key countries, including the US and China.

The move to withdraw from the CTBT has been met with international criticism, with the United States expressing deep concern.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Russia’s action would “set back confidence in the international arms control regime.”

The US has maintained a moratorium on nuclear testing despite not ratifying the CTBT.

Growing Tensions Between Russia and the United States

Russian officials defended their decision, arguing that it brought them in line with the United States, which signed but did not ratify the treaty.

Moscow has stated that it will not resume nuclear testing unless the United States does so.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly emphasized Russia’s nuclear capabilities since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

He has drawn attention to Russia’s substantial nuclear arsenal, the largest in the world, in an apparent attempt to deter other countries from supporting Ukraine in its resistance to the Russian invasion.

Any resumption of nuclear testing by a nuclear superpower, such as Russia, would represent a significant setback in non-proliferation efforts since the end of the Cold War.

The last time the Soviet Union conducted a nuclear test was in 1990.

Russia has conducted unsuccessful tests of Yars and Bulava missiles (nuclear weapons carriers) – Defence Intelligence of Ukraine informs.

◾️ On November 1, 2023, Russia conducted unsuccessful tests of the RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile, which is the main… pic.twitter.com/HUjnvZkRQi

— Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) November 4, 2023

Robert Floyd, the head of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization, which is responsible for promoting recognition of the treaty and establishing a verification regime to detect nuclear tests, strongly condemned Russia’s decision.

He described it as “very disappointing and deeply regrettable.”

The CTBT established a global network of observation posts capable of detecting various signs of a nuclear explosion, including sound, shockwaves, and radioactive fallout. Post-Soviet Russia has refrained from conducting nuclear tests, with no country other than North Korea having conducted such tests involving nuclear explosions this century.

Implications for Global Non-Proliferation Efforts

Andrey Baklitskiy, a senior researcher at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, has expressed concerns that Russia’s withdrawal from the CTBT is part of a broader trend of undermining arms control pacts and non-proliferation efforts.

“We don’t know what steps will follow and when, but we know where this road ends. And we don’t want to go there,” Baklitskiy said, as cited by the Guardian.

This move raises uncertainty about the future of arms control agreements, potentially leading to a slippery slope of further testing and eroding the progress made in non-proliferation since the end of the Cold War.

Putin’s approval of the de-ratification law was posted on a government website, taking immediate effect.

Russia has already obtained approval from its parliament for this step.

In the current international climate, characterized by escalating tensions, this development is yet another indication of the deepening divide between Russia and the United States.

The global community will closely watch the implications of Russia’s withdrawal from the CTBT and its potential impact on nuclear arms control and non-proliferation efforts, as well as its consequences for international relations at large.

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Russia’s recent missile test and withdrawal from the CTBT have raised international concerns and deepened tensions. These actions have implications for arms control, non-proliferation, and global security.

As Russia’s decision takes immediate effect, it highlights the growing divide in international relations, particularly between nuclear powers, and their impact on global security discussions.

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