Russia’s Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) was successfully tested, with President Vladimir Putin declaring that the nuclear-capable projectile will make Moscow’s adversaries “think twice.”
“The new missile has the highest tactical and technical characteristics and is capable of overcoming all modern means of anti-missile defense. It has no analogs in the world and won’t have for a long time to come,” Putin said.
On Wednesday, Putin was shown on television being informed by the military that a missile had been launched from Plesetsk in Russia’s northwest and hit targets in Russia’s far east.
According to the Congressional Research Service of the United States, the Sarmat is a new heavy ICBM that Russia plans to deploy with 10 or more warheads on each missile.
“I congratulate you on the successful launch of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile,” Putin told the army in televised remarks.
It has been in development for years, so its test launch does not come as a surprise to the West, but it does so at a time when global tensions are at an all-time high due to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“This truly unique weapon will strengthen the combat potential of our armed forces, reliably ensure the security of Russia from external threats, and make those who – in the heat of aggressive rhetoric – try to threaten our country think twice.”
The launch in northern Russia was described as a “present to NATO” by the president of Russia’s official aerospace agency.