Putin hails Russia's test launch of most powerful missile in the world'

"Putin said that the Sarmat missile would enter combat service at the end of the year. This is the most powerful missile in the world, he said in televised remarks, adding that its warhead yield was more than four times greater than any Western equivalent. Putin said the Sarmat was capable of suborbital flight, giving it a range exceeding 35,000km (21,750 miles), and claimed it could penetrate all existing and future anti-missile defence systems."

"Development of the Sarmat began in 2011, and before Tuesday, the missile had only one known successful test and reportedly suffered a massive explosion during an abortive test in 2024. Designated Satan II in the West, the Sarmat is meant to replace about 40 Soviet-built Voyevoda missiles. Putin said on Tuesday that the Sarmat is as powerful as the Voyevoda but with higher precision."

"The test came against a backdrop of concern over the collapse of the arms control architecture that governed the two United States and Russia's nuclear arsenals for decades. New START, the last remaining treaty between Russia and the US capping strategic warheads and delivery systems, expired in February, leaving the world's two largest nuclear powers without any formal constraints for the first time in more than half a century."

"Although Moscow and Washington agreed to resume high-level military dialogue after the treaty lapsed, there are no signs of progress towards a successor agreement. Both sides have repeatedly accused Russia and the US of violating arms control commitments, and the expiration of New START has removed the remaining formal limits on strategic nuclear forces."

Russia test-fired the nuclear-capable Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, with President Vladimir Putin stating it will enter combat service at the end of the year. Putin described the missile as the world’s most powerful and claimed its warhead yield is more than four times greater than Western equivalents. The missile was said to be capable of suborbital flight with a range exceeding 35,000 km and to penetrate existing and future anti-missile defenses. The Sarmat is intended to replace about 40 Soviet-era Voyevoda missiles and is claimed to match Voyevoda power while offering higher precision. The test follows prior setbacks, including a reported massive explosion during an abortive 2024 test. The launch occurred after New START expired, leaving no formal strategic constraints between Russia and the United States.

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