Russia Failed Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Test During Biden's Ukraine Visit: Report

The heavy SARMAT missile, also known as the Satan II in the West, was tested by Russia.

Russia President Vladimir Putin

Source : File Photo/AFP

New Delhi: Russia attempted a test launch of an ICBM while President Joe Biden was in Kyiv, but it reportedly failed, according to a CNN report that cites two US officials. According to the officials, Russia had already informed the United States of the launch via deconfliction lines. According to another official, Washington did not perceive the test as an escalation of any kind and that it posed no threat to the United States.

The heavy SARMAT missile, also known as the Satan II in the West, was tested by Russia. Moscow had previously carried out a successful test of the missile, which is capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads. However, the US officials stated that it appeared to have failed this time around.

The ICBM test was not mentioned by Russian President Vladimir Putin in his State of the Nation address on Tuesday. If it had been successful, US officials believe he would have mentioned it.

Putin criticised the United States for escalating the situation in Ukraine during his speech, which lasted one hour and 45 minutes. He claimed that the United States was escalating the situation and that Russia was only attempting to defend itself.

Even though the foreign ministry later stated that they would continue to adhere to restrictions on nuclear warheads, Putin also made the announcement that Russia would be suspending the New START nuclear arms reduction treaty.

As US officials also informed the Russians on Sunday night, hours before Biden's visit to Kyiv, that the president would be visiting the Ukrainian capital, the two countries have been communicating this week through a variety of channels for conflict resolution.

Numerous senior US officials have stated that the Russian military has largely "failed" in its strategic objectives in Ukraine after suffering multiple major defeats on the battlefield over the past year.