Russian news agencies reported today, quoting the Russian Ministry of Defense, that the new Russian nuclear submarine Emperor Alexander III successfully conducted a test launch of a Bulava ballistic missile from the sea. The agencies cited a statement from the ministry stating, "As part of the final stage of the state test program, the new strategic missile submarine Emperor Alexander III, which operates on nuclear power, successfully conducted a launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile of the Bulava type from the sea."