Russia launches Khabarovsk nuclear submarine

Russia launched a new nuclear submarine, the Khabarovsk, in the port city of Severodvinsk, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday.

A launching ceremony of the nuclear submarine was held at JSC Production Association Sevmash, a major Russian shipbuilding enterprise, the ministry said in a release.

Equipped with underwater weapons and robotic systems, the submarine will enable Russia to defend its national interests in the oceans, according to the release.

"I would like to thank everyone involved in the submarine's creation for their conscientious and high-quality work. The vessel still has to undergo a series of sea trials. I wish the crew and the commissioning team success in conducting them," Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov was quoted as saying by the ministry.