SLBM Sineva hit training target at Kamchatka

18.05.2011 Northern Fleet (NF) nuclear-powered ballistic submarine (SSBN) Yekaterinburg on May 17 successfully launched ballistic missile (SLBM) Sineva from the Barents Sea against Kura test range located in Kamchatka, said an official spokesman for Russian defense ministry.

The submarine's commanding officer is Capt 1 rank Igor Stepanenko.

"The launch was carried out from underwater position in accordance with reliability verification plan of maritime nuclear forces. Combat modules of the missile arrived in the range at the stated time", said the military official.

According to him, the submarine's crew displayed complete professionalism and high skills during the training task.

RSM-54 Sineva (on NATO classification SS-N-23 Skiff) is Russian three-staged liquid-fueled missile designed for 3rd generation submarines. It was commissioned on July 9, 2007. It is used by missile system D-9RMU2 placed in Project 667BDRM Delfin nuclear-powered submarines.

Sineva's flight range is over 10,000 km.

Previous training launch of SLBM Sineva was held late in Oct 2010 by SSBN Bryansk from the Barents Sea against Kura range, Kamchatka. The launch was successful.