Kremlin has expressed outrage at France’s launch of new ballistic missile from nuclear submarine
The Kremlin regards France’s launch of a new M51.3 ballistic missile from a nuclear submarine on 6 October as a "loud and clear message".
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov made these remarks to the Russian "Interfax", according to Censor.NET.
Moscow’s reaction
According to Peskov, Moscow believes that "any problems should be resolved through dialogue, not by staging missile launches".
The Kremlin spokesperson has once again expressed outrage that Europe is, he claims, "obsessed with the idea of militarising the EU and transforming the union into a military-political bloc".
"This is a bad thing, because they are building their identity in the field of defence and security on the basis of confrontation with the Russian Federation. It is a dead end. As history shows, this leads to nothing good", Peskov stated, adding that Russia "is monitoring all such plans and actions".
What led up to it?
- On 6 October, France successfully carried out the first test launch of its new M51.3 intercontinental ballistic missile from a nuclear-powered submarine. The country’s President, Emmanuel Macron, took part in the test launch.
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The rocket was launched from the Finisterre coast. It fell into the North Atlantic — several hundred kilometres from any coastline.
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The missile did not carry a nuclear warhead, and the test was carried out in accordance with France’s international obligations.
The M51.3 is a third-generation French sea-based intercontinental ballistic missile. It was introduced into service in October 2025 as part of the modernisation of the naval component of France’s nuclear forces.
