Russia will this year use the Yury Dolgoruky...

"Tests will be conducted in the summer - most likely in June, from the White Sea, when it is free of ice," he said.

So far all test launches have been conducted from the Dmitry Donskoy nuclear-powered submarine.

The Yury Dolgoruky is the newest of Russia"s Borey-class strategic nuclear submarines, which have been exclusively designed for the Bulava, and is currently undergoing sea trials.

The future development of the Bulava sea-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) has been questioned by some lawmakers and defense industry officials, who have suggested that all efforts should be focused on the existing Sineva SLBM.

But that would require major changes to the Borey-class submarines and the Russian military has insisted that there is no alternative to the Bulava and pledged to continue testing the missile until it is ready to be put into service with the Navy.

The vessel is 170 meters (580 feet) long, has a hull diameter of 13 meters (42 feet), a crew

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