According to Iraf, citing Al Jazeera, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed that the RS-28 Sarmat ICBM has been successfully tested and will enter the operational cycle of Russia’s strategic forces by the end of 2026.
In statements widely covered by international media, Putin called Sarmat “the most powerful missile in the world” and emphasized that its warheads are more than four times stronger than comparable Western weapons.
Extremely Long Range and Ability to Penetrate Defenses
Russian officials said the Sarmat, with an estimated range of 35,000 kilometers, can travel along unconventional and distant trajectories, bypassing the most advanced missile defense systems.
Known to NATO as “Satan 2,” the missile can carry multiple independent reentry vehicles (MIRVs) as well as hypersonic warheads—a capability Moscow cites as central to enhancing its nuclear deterrent.
Replacing the Older Voevoda Missiles
Sarmat is intended to replace the aging R-36M2 Voevoda missiles, which have long formed the backbone of Russia’s nuclear deterrent. Russia claims the new generation is faster, more precise, and follows a more complex flight path to minimize interception chances and neutralize Western defense systems.
Expert Opinions and Technical Challenges
Despite Moscow’s emphasis on Sarmat’s unmatched capabilities, some international experts, including Pavel Podvig of the UN Institute for Disarmament Research, argue that while deployment this year is possible, it does not necessarily alter the global strategic balance. Podvig also noted that the Sarmat program has faced technical challenges over recent years, including a failed test in 2024.
Strategic Significance for Russia
Putin frames the missile’s development as part of Russia’s response to the U.S. withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty in 2002, asserting that Moscow needed to develop a new generation of strategic weapons to maintain its nuclear deterrence. He further claimed that no Western defense system can counter Sarmat.
Overall, despite expert skepticism regarding its impact on the strategic balance, the successful test and official announcement of the missile’s operational deployment underscore Russia’s continued push to enhance its strategic capabilities, marking a new phase in the arms competition between Moscow and the West.
