Russia has test launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile, its Defence Ministry announced today.
Vladimir Putin said the unmatched Sarmat missile will provide ‘food for thought for those who try to threaten Russia’ and will make enemies ‘think twice’.
The first launch of the missile was carried out today at the Plesetsk spaceport in northern Russia.
Putin was shown on TV being briefed by the military that the missile had been launched from the country’s northwest and hit targets in the Kamchatka peninsula in the far east.
He told the army:
‘I congratulate you on the successful launch of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile.
This truly unique weapon will strengthen the combat potential of our armed forces, reliably ensure the security of Russia from external threats and make those who, in the heat of aggressive rhetoric, try to threaten our country, think twice.
‘The new complex has the highest tactical and technical characteristics and is capable of overcoming all modern means of anti-missile defence. It has no analogues in the world and won’t have for a long time to come.
‘This truly unique weapon will strengthen the combat potential of our armed forces, reliably ensure Russia’s security from external threats and provide food for thought for those who, in the heat of frenzied aggressive rhetoric, try to threaten our country.’
The Sarmat is a new heavy Intercontinental Ballistic Missile which Russia is expected to deploy with 10 or more warheads on each missile, according to the U.S. Congressional Research Service.
It has been under development for years and so its test-launch is not a surprise for the West, but it comes at a moment of extreme geopolitical tension due to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Russian state media added: ‘Sarmat is the most powerful missile with the longest range of destruction of targets in the world, which will significantly increase the combat power of our country’s strategic nuclear forces.’
The missile, known in the West as Satan-2 – is believed to be the biggest beast in Russia’s nuclear arsenal.
The weapon is estimated to have an 11,000-mile range, carrying a 10-tonne payload.
Russia has test launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile, its Defence Ministry announced today.
Vladimir Putin said the unmatched Sarmat missile will provide ‘food for thought for those who try to threaten Russia’.
The Sarmat is a new heavy Intercontinental Ballistic Missile which Russia is expected to deploy with 10 or more warheads on each missile.
RS-28 Sarmat-T / SATAN 2-T super-heavy ICBM Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile.
