Russia has confirmed the successful testing of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, as reported by local media. The Commander of the Strategic Missile Forces, Sergey Karakayev, informed President Vladimir Putin that the missile system met its specified characteristics. Karakayev stated that the Sarmat missile system will enhance the combat capabilities of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces significantly.
Putin praised the Russian military for the successful test of the Sarmat missile system, highlighting its power and capabilities. He described it as the most potent system globally, comparable to the Soviet-era Voevoda missile system. The warhead’s total yield was noted to be over four times greater than any existing Western equivalent.
The Sarmat missile system’s capabilities were further detailed by Putin, emphasizing its ability to travel along both ballistic and suborbital trajectories. This feature enables a range exceeding 35,000 km, while enhancing accuracy and penetration of anti-missile defense systems. The recent test validated the missile system’s flight range, throw weight, launch readiness, and countermeasures.
The first successful launch of the RS-28 Sarmat system took place on April 20, 2022, from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk Region. Putin confirmed plans for the deployment of the Sarmat system by the end of the year. The Sarmat system, a ground-based silo-based missile system, has been in development since the 2000s and is capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
In response to the US withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002, Putin mentioned the necessity for Moscow to ensure its strategic security and maintain power balance. The development of the Sarmat system was influenced by the evolving global security landscape.
