In the midst of the war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has escalated even further. A new nuclear missile was tested on Wednesday – concern is growing.
Vladimir Putin continues to use threatening gestures. For example, on Wednesday, in the midst of the bloody war in Ukraine, the Russian president carried out a test run with a new Sarmat-type ICBM. The rocket, better known to NATO under the codename “Satan 2” or “SS-X-30 Satan 2”, could be equipped with nuclear missiles, according to the Russian Defense Ministry. The alleged rocket data is more than just concerning.
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The missile will “massively” strengthen Russia’s “nuclear potential”, the ministry said. With a range of 18,000 kilometers, the “Satan 2” should be able to fly farther than any other comparable rocket in the world. If the range is correct, it would be possible for Russia to hit targets almost anywhere in the world with the projectile. Putin is proud of his new nuclear weapon, saying it is “capable of surpassing all modern means of missile defense”.
Putin further emphasized that the missile has “the best tactical and technical characteristics” and “is a truly unique weapon that will strengthen the combat potential of our armed forces and reliably protect Russia’s security against external threats.” The missile was apparently tested Wednesday at Russia’s Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northwest Russia, and the non-nuclear warheads destroyed a test target in Kamchatka in the far southeast.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has repeatedly denied plans to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine in the past: “Nobody in Russia is thinking about using nuclear weapons, or even the idea of using them.” Whatever the outcome of the “special military operation” in Ukraine, as Russia officially calls a war of aggression, that will not be grounds for the use of nuclear weapons, he said. Observers warned, however, that this should not be believed.
Russia put its nuclear weapons on high alert eight weeks ago, at the start of its war in Ukraine. The announcement was taken as a threat to the country’s nuclear arsenal. The Sarmat missile is one of a series of weapons introduced by Putin in 2018. At that time, he also introduced Kinzhal and Avangard-type hypersonic missiles. Kinzhal missiles were first used in the conflict with Ukraine.
Browsing account rfi time04/20/2022, 18:00| Act: 04/20/2022, 20:49