‘Most powerful’: What’s the Sarmat missile Russia has test-launched?

Russia has successfully test-launched its new RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, which President Vladimir Putin described as the "most powerful missile in the world." This missile, nicknamed "Satan II" in the West, is designed to replace older Soviet-era Voyevoda missiles and is intended to enter combat service by the end of the year. Putin claims the Sarmat has a range exceeding 35,000 km and can overcome existing missile defense systems, though Western analysts estimate its range to be around 18,000 km. The Sarmat has been in development since 2011 and is characterized by its large payload capacity and rapid acceleration, which Russia claims reduces detection time for defensive systems.

Russia successfully test-fired a new nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile, the Sarmat, on Tuesday. President Vladimir Putin hailed the launch as a significant step in modernizing Russia's nuclear forces, declaring the Sarmat to be the world's most powerful missile. He stated that the missile, designed to replace the older Voyevoda, will enter combat service by the end of the year. Putin emphasized that the Sarmat's individually targeted warheads possess a combined power exceeding that of any Western counterpart by more than four times. This test comes shortly after Putin's assertion that the conflict in Ukraine is nearing its conclusion.