A test-firing of a new Russian sea-based missile capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads ended in failure Tuesday when the weapon disintegrated after launch, the Interfax news agency reported.

"After its firing from the submarine Dmitry Donskoy, the Bulava missile self-liquidated and exploded in the air," a military source told the agency.

Interfax said this was the eighth test launch of the Bulava and the fifth time the firing has been unsuccessful. No damage or casualties were caused by the rocket's explosion, the source said.

Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo did not directly comment on the report but confirmed that a test firing of the Bulava had taken place Tuesday morning in the White Sea.

He told the agency that "the results of the firing are being analysed."

The Bulava, which can be equipped with up to 10 individually targeted nuclear warheads, has a maximum range of 8,000 kilometres (5,000 miles) and was first successfully tested in December 2005.

Full article here