Russia announced on Wednesday that it has tested its new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, a strategic weapon that Russian President Vladimir Putin said has no equal in the world and is giving food for thought to those trying to threaten Russia will.
According to Reuters, Putin appeared on television and received information from members of the armed forces that the missile was launched from Plesetsk in the northwest of the country and hit targets in the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia.
Russia is testing ICBMs — Photo: Russian Defense Ministry
The distance reached by the rocket is about 5,800 km, ie this is a higher figure than the distance between the extreme south and the extreme north of Brazil (about 4,100 km).
“The new complex has the highest tactical and technical characteristics and is capable of overcoming all modern missile defense means. He doesn’t have anything like it in the world and he won’t have it for a long time,” Putin said.
According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the launch took place at 15:12 Moscow time (9:12 GMT). The Russian entity also stated that it will replace the Voyevoda missile system.
1 of 3 Sarmat, Russian missile tested this Wednesday — Photo: Russian Defense Ministry/via AFP
Sarmat, Russian missile tested this Wednesday (Photo: Russian Defense Ministry/via AFP)
The Sarmat is a heavy intercontinental ballistic missile that Russia is expected to deploy with 10 or more warheads on each missile, according to the US Congressional Research Service.
According to the Russians, the Sarmat is the most powerful missile in the world with the longest range to hit targets, which significantly increases the combat effectiveness of the country’s strategic nuclear forces.
2 of 3 President of Russia Vladimir Putin during a meeting with leaders of the armed forces — Photo: Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS
President of Russia Vladimir Putin at a meeting with leaders of the armed forces — Photo: Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/Kremlin via REUTERS
In development since 2017, its test launch comes as no surprise to the West, but comes at a time of extreme geopolitical tension due to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Another launch took place in 2018. At the time, NATO named the weapon Satan 2, after a bomb the Russians built in the mid20th century.
“This launch is the first in the state testing program. Upon completion of the test program, the Sarmat missile system will enter service with the Strategic Missile Forces,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
3 of 3 Image released by the Russian Army in 2018 shows the deployment of a missile capable of dodging radar beams and reaching long distances — Photo: RURTR via AP
The image released by the Russian army in 2018 shows the workings of a missile capable of dodging radar and reaching long distances — Photo: RURTR via AP