The Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Tuesday (12) the successful completion of the final test for the RS-28 Sarmat, its most powerful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Known by NATO by the codename “Satan II”, the nuclear-capable weapon possesses an unprecedented range of 35,000 kilometers, capable of traversing both terrestrial poles to strike targets anywhere on the globe.
According to the commander of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces, Sergei Karakayev, the success of this stage concludes the testing cycle, paving the way for immediate deployment. President Vladimir Putin reiterated that the system will be placed on combat duty by the end of 2026, consolidating the Sarmat as the primary asset of the Russian nuclear triad.
Technology and Destruction
Unveiled in 2018 as part of a generation of “invincible” weapons, the Sarmat was designed to overcome any modern anti-aircraft defense system. Its speed and trajectory allow it to reach Europe in less than ten minutes after launch.
Key Features of the Sarmat:
- Payload Capacity: Can carry 10 or more independently targetable nuclear warheads (MIRV).
- Range: 35,000 km (the longest in the world).
- Speed: Hypersonic, making radar interception extremely difficult.
- Trajectory: Capable of flying over the South Pole, bypassing monitoring systems focused on the Northern Hemisphere.
Development Timeline
| Date | Event | Status |
| 2018 | First test and official announcement | Prototyping Phase |
| 2022 | Second large-scale test | Validation Phase |
| May 2026 | Final Test Completed | Ready for Operation |
Balance of Power
The conclusion of the final test comes at a moment of high geopolitical tension. For the Russian government, the Sarmat is a deterrent tool that “significantly increases the combat power of the country’s strategic nuclear forces.” Western experts, however, view the activation of the missile as an escalation in the arms race, given its ability to evade current anti-missile shields.
