Russia announced today that it has successfully conducted the first test of launching an ICBM, a newgeneration weapon capable of long ranges. The United States responded by saying the test was “no surprise”.
The military exercise comes amid the Russiansponsored invasion of Ukraine and economic sanctions imposed on the Russians by Americans and allies.
In a televised address, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the 200ton intercontinental ballistic missile called Sarmat could “defeat all modern antiaircraft systems” and warned that the weapon served as a “warning to enemies.”
It is a unique weapon that will increase the military potential of our armed forces. It will guarantee Russia’s security against external threats and give food for thought to those who threaten our country with unbridled and aggressive rhetoric. Vladimir Putin in a speech reproduced by the AFP news agency
“I emphasize that only nationally produced kits, components and parts were used in the development of Sarmat,” he added.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said the launch took place at 3:12 p.m. local time (9:12 a.m. GMT) from central Plesetsk in the Arcangel region (northwest) and its destination, the Kura, on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula reaches Peninsula in the Far East, more than 5,000 kilometers away.
In theory, the Sarmat would have better results than its predecessor, the Voevoda missile, which can reach a range of 11,000 km. Putin had said back in 2019 that this ballistic missile had “virtually no range limitation” and could “reach its targets through the North and South Poles.”
In March, Moscow claimed to have used the Kinjal for the first time against targets in Ukraine.
US react
However, the Pentagon stated that the test conducted by Russia was not seen as a threat by the United States and its allies. Moscow has “duly notified” Washington of the test as part of its nuclear treaty obligations, so it’s “no surprise,” its spokesman John Kirby said.
*With information from agency AFP