politics
Russia Conducts Second Confirmed Sarmat ICBM Test
Russia conducted a test launch of its nuclear-armed Sarmat missile on Tuesday, the second confirmed successful test of the weapon designed to replace Soviet-era systems. President Vladimir Putin hailed the launch and said the missile would enter combat service later this year.
May 13, 12:22 AM·3m read3 sources
IN
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Russia test-fired a Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile on Tuesday as part of efforts to modernise its nuclear forces. President Vladimir Putin hailed the test and said the nuclear-armed Sarmat missile would enter combat service at the end of the year.
The missile, designated “Satan II” in the West, was built to replace the aging Soviet-built Voyevoda and is meant to replace about 40 such missiles.
Moscow launched the Sarmat rocket weighing 208 tonnes and standing as high as a 14-storey building. The intercontinental missile reached speeds of up to 15,880 mph. Strategic Missile Forces commander Sergei Karakayev confirmed to Mr Putin that the test had succeeded.
Putin described the Sarmat weapon as the most powerful missile system in the world. He said the total yield of the Sarmat delivered warhead is more than four times greater than that of any existing most powerful Western equivalent. Putin stated that the combined power of the Sarmat’s individually targeted warheads is more than four times higher than that of any Western counterpart.
Putin said the Sarmat is capable of suborbital flight and has a range of more than 35,000 kilometers, which equals 21,700 miles. He added that this allows for a range of over 35,000 kilometres while simultaneously doubling its missile defence performance.
Putin said the Sarmat has the ability to penetrate all existing and prospective missile defence systems. He confirmed the Sarmat weapon would be deployed on combat duty later this year. It marks only the second confirmed successful test of the nuclear missile.
The last confirmed successful test of the Sarmat came in April 2022. Before Tuesday, the Sarmat missile had only one known successful test. Development of the Sarmat began in 2011. The Sarmat reportedly suffered a massive explosion during an abortive test in 2024.
A hypersonic missile detonated on its launch platform at the Plesetsk cosmodrome in September 2024. A further test in November 2025 ended catastrophically when the rocket fell shortly after launch causing an enormous explosion. Putin declared the Sarmat is the most powerful missile in the world and said it is as powerful as the Voyevoda but with higher precision.
