Russia Launches Intercontinental Missile From New Nuclear Submarine; Kremlin Warns Relations with U.S. 'Below Zero'

Russia says it has test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile from new nuclear submarine Imperator Alexander III.

The Russian Defense Ministry announced it launched the missile, which is designed to carry up to six nuclear warheads, on Nov. 5, Knewz.com reported.

According to Reuters, the missile was launched underwater in the White Sea off Russia's northern coast and struck a target that was thousands of kilometers away on Kamchatka peninsula in the Russia Far East, Russian officials say.

"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," the defense ministry said in a statement.

Russian sources told Reuters that the Imperator Alexander III is the seventh of the project 955 Borel (Arctic Wind) class nuclear submarines and the fourth of the modernized Borei-A variant.

Borei class missiles include 16 Bulava missiles, and the 40-foot missiles have the capability of going 5,000 miles.

NATO considers the fleet the Dolgoruky class of submarines - named after the Yuri Dolgoruky - the first new generation of Russian nuclear submarines launched since the Cold War.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been building up the country's military, increasing spending in hopes of rebuilding the country to the level it was at before the 1991 fall of the Soviet Union.

Russia and the West have been at odds with each other since the country invaded Ukraine last year. The war has continued since, with the United States and allies providing weapons and funding to Ukraine.

NATO countries have made a concerted effort not to get involved in direct fighting with Russian out of fears of a World War III beginning.

Despite avoiding direct conflict with Russia, the United States' view inside the country is unfavorable.

"Relations are at zero - or I would say below zero," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, according to Reuters. "Putin has repeatedly stated that he is ready for any contacts."

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Putin recently signed a bill that pulled Russia out of an international treaty that prevented it from doing nuclear testing.

Reuters reported that, according to Russian media sources, the country plans to build 10 to 12 Borei-class submarines. They are expected to be divided between the Northern and Pacific fleets.

Three other Borei-class submarines are in the works: the Knyaz Pozharsky, the Dmitry Donskoy and the Knyaz Potemkin.