Russia’s most-watched talk show used infographics to present the theoretical flight time of a Sarmat missile between the enclave of Kaliningrad and major European capitals.
The Russian media constantly praises the Kremlin’s nuclear power. On the public television channel Rossiya 1, where presenter Olga Skabeïeva is staunchly defending the “special operation” launched by Vladimir Putin in Ukraine, some hotheads openly fantasize about unleashing the absolute weapon. A guest on Russia’s most-watched political talk show 60 Minutes last Thursday expressed enthusiasm at the possibility of using the new Sarmat missiles against Europe from the Kaliningrad enclave.
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On the screen, based on an infographic showing three European capitals, we can see the time it would take for this nuclear missile to reach them. “Berlin: 106 seconds, Paris: 200 seconds, London: 202 seconds”: The host lists the theoretical flight times before impact. The guest, visibly delighted with the prospect, says: “Look at this picture, count the seconds … hello, it (the rocket) is already there.” “One Sarmat missile and it’s done, there are no more British Isles,” he adds very seriously.
While another speaker reminds him of the devastating consequences of the outbreak of a nuclear war, the guest coolly replies that “we would start with a white page”.
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On April 20, the Russian military announced the first successful test firing of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile. “It is truly a unique weapon that will increase the military potential of our armed forces, protect Russia from external threats and make those who try to threaten our country with wild and aggressive rhetoric think twice,” Vladimir Putin said.
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But to date, Russia does not have these missiles. They will be delivered to Russia’s strategic forces “this fall,” said Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Roskosmos, the agency in charge of Russia’s civilian space program. And this new “tool” remains above all a deterrent weapon, like those already in existence. “We don’t know how to intercept a modern ICBM anyway… So the current situation will not change much,” said an expert on the matter in Le Figaro.
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