Russian missile malfunctions and explodes in test launch
This is the dramatic moment a Russian missile designed to carry nukes malfunctioned and exploded shortly after launch.
The Bulava-class missile was one of two fired from submarine Yury Dolgoruky as it sat in the White Sea, and was supposed to hit a target 3,500 miles away on the Kura testing range, on the Kamchatka Peninsula.
While video shows the first missile takes off without a problem, the second veers wildly off-course before exploding moments later.
This is the moment a Russian Bulava missile, which is designed to carry a nuclear warhead, malfunctioned and exploded moments after being test-launched
The Bulava is the end result of Russia's most expensive military project ever, but is notoriously unreliable - with one in four either exploding after launch or missing their target
It is not clear why the missile failed, but in the past experts have pointed to faults in the construction as possible reasons for Bulava failures.
The missile could also have been slightly damaged on launch, Gazeta.ru reported.
The Bulava missile took Russia years to develop and one its most expensive military project ever when it was first deployed in 2013.
Designed to carry nuclear warheads, the missile forms the backbone of Russia's submarine-based deterrent - but is notoriously unreliable.
The missile was launched from submarine Yury Dolgoruky, the first of Russia's newest Borei-class vessels to be launched which are equipped with the missiles
The projectile was supposed to travel from the White Sea (left) before hitting a target on the Kura testing range (right), some 3,500 miles away
Out of 27 test firings, nine of them have failed, meaning there is an almost one-in-four chance the missiles will explode after launch or miss their target.
While this is embarrassing for President Putin during tests, the consequences for the world in an actual nuclear war would be potentially catastrophic.
The Bulava does not have the same rage or speed as the older missiles it was supposed to replace, but it does have enhanced defenses to avoid being shot down.
It is mounted on Russia's newest Borei-class submarine, which took almost 30 years to design and build, with Yury Dolgoruky being the first ever produced.
The test in this recordi ng was carried out in September last year, but the footage only came to light this week. Â
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