MOSCOW – An accident aboard a nuclear-powered Russian navy submarine doing a test run in the Pacific Ocean on Saturday killed more than 20 people, the navy said.

The submarine was heading back to shore on its own power, and 21 people injured in the accident were evacuated to a ship that was escorting the sub. Dygalo said the destroyer Admiral Tributs and a rescue vessel were accompanying it.

Saturday's accident came as the Kremlin seeks to restore Russia's naval reputation, part of a drive to show off the country's military clout amid strained ties with the West. A naval squadron is headed to Venezuela for joint exercises this month in a show of force near U.S. waters.