Russia will this year use the Yury Dolgoruky nuclear powered submarine for the first time to carry out test launches of the troubled Bulava missile, a Defense Ministry official said on Wednesday.

"Tests will be conducted in the summer - most likely in June, from the White Sea, when it is free of ice," he said.

So far all test launches have been conducted from the Dmitry Donskoy nuclear powered submarine.

The Yury Dolgoruky is the newest of Russia's Borey-class strategic nuclear submarines, which have been exclusively designed for the Bulava, and is currently undergoing sea trials.

The future development of the Bulava sea-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) has been questioned by some lawmakers and defense industry officials, who have suggested that all efforts should be focused on the existing Sineva SLBM.

MOSCOW, February 24 (RIA Novosti)