New Delhi: The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, said Wednesday that the country has successfully tested the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile. Putin said that the weapon capable of carrying nuclear charges will make Kremlin's enemies "think twice”, news agency AFP reported. It was launched from Plesetsk testing field.
Western analysts call the Sarmat ‘Satan 2’. It is among Russia’s next-generation missiles, which Putin has called “invincible”. These also include the Kinzhal and Avangard hypersonic missiles.
Russia said last month that it used Kinzhal for the first time in warfare to strike a target in Ukraine.
Russian troops have been engaged in a special military operation in Ukraine since February 24.
"I congratulate you on the successful launch of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile," an AFP report quoted Putin as telling the army in televised remarks on Wednesday.
"This truly unique weapon will strengthen the combat potential of our armed forces, reliably ensure the security of Russia from external threats and make those who, in the heat of aggressive rhetoric, try to threaten our country, think twice," Putin further said.
In a statement, Russia’s defence ministry said that the test "successfully" took place at the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia.
The missile delivered training warheads to the Kura test range of the Kamchatka peninsula, in Russia's Far East, according to the defence ministry.
"Sarmat is the most powerful missile with the longest range of destruction of targets in the world, which will significantly increase the combat power of our country's strategic nuclear forces," the statement said.
Designed to elude anti-missile defence systems with a short initial boost phase, the Sarmat superheavy intercontinental ballistic missile gives enemy surveillance systems a tiny window to track
It weighs more than 200 tonnes and is able to transport multiple warheads. According to Putin, the missile can hit any target on Earth.