Russian President Putin has conducted a successful test of the formidable Sarmat nuclear-capable missile, also known as ‘Satan-2’, showcasing strength against Western powers. The massive ‘Doomsday rocket’, standing as tall as a 14-story building and weighing 208 tonnes, was hailed by Putin as the most potent missile system globally. He announced that the RS-28 Sarmat would be operational by the end of the year.
The warhead of the Sarmat missile boasts a yield more than four times that of any comparable Western missile, with the ability to travel on both ballistic and suborbital trajectories. This capability grants it a range exceeding 35,000 kilometers while enhancing its missile defense performance and enabling penetration of existing and future defense systems.
Despite this successful test, the Sarmat missile’s development has faced setbacks, with only one previous successful mission in April 2022. Notably, a previous test in September 2024 led to an explosion at the launchpad, creating a substantial crater. Another test in November 2025 resulted in a rocket malfunction shortly after take-off, causing a significant explosion near Yasny in Russia. The incident was unofficially linked to the Sarmat missile.
Following false claims regarding the readiness of Satan-2 for deployment, Putin dismissed two leaders of the Russian space agency. Additionally, the head of the defense plant responsible for manufacturing the Sarmat missile was recently detained on embezzlement charges in Siberia, as reported by Russian state media.
