Russia fires dummy warheads from planes, sub, silo

MOSCOW (AFP) - Russia brandished its nuclear muscle on Friday as it fired dummy warheads from its planes and a submerged submarine as well as an underground bunker in a test of their continued effectiveness.

The unusually well-coordinated show of force coincided with tensions between Moscow and Washington over space defence issues and Russia's commitment to democratic freedoms under President Vladimir Putin's third term.

This marked the successful completion of testing on Russia's "triad" - the ground as well as sea and air nuclear defences that have formed the backbone of the country's national security through the decades.

The Russian defence ministry and a navy officials said the Topol and R-29R rockets were fired from an underground bunker and a submerged submarine on opposite sides of the country in the north-west and Far East.