In Moscow, Russian President Vladimir Putin made big news on Tuesday. He declared that Russia’s powerful new nuclear missile, called the RS-28 Sarmat, will be ready for service by the end of this year. With pride, he described it as the most powerful missile anywhere in the world. This weapon has taken many years to build, facing quite a few technical problems and delays along the way.
‘Nuclear strength over four times greater than similar missiles from Western nations’
Think of the RS-28 Sarmat as a giant long-distance arrow that can carry nuclear warheads and hit targets thousands of kilometres away. It can reach countries like the United States and many places in Europe. In easy words, it is a very serious weapon meant to warn Russia’s rivals. Putin explained that its nuclear strength is more than four times greater than similar missiles from Western nations. He also said it can fly over 35,000 kilometres, which is roughly 21,750 miles. That distance makes it one of the farthest-reaching missiles ever created.
The Sarmat is specially built to slip past today’s and tomorrow’s anti-missile defence systems. Even the smartest shields designed to stop incoming rockets might not be able to catch this one. Yet, the missile has had some tough moments. Western experts say one test in September 2024 went wrong and left a huge crater near the launch area.
But things are looking up now. On Russian state television, military commander Sergei Karakayev told Putin that Tuesday’s test was a complete success. Karakayev added that bringing the Sarmat into service will make Russia’s ground-based nuclear forces much stronger. It will also increase the country’s ability to keep enemies away through strategic deterrence. In simple terms, deterrence means making sure no one dares to attack because they fear a powerful response.
Since Russia entered Ukraine in 2022, Putin has often spoken about his country’s nuclear power. Many in the West feel he does this to stop other nations from giving more help to Ukraine. It is like a strong warning without starting a direct bigger fight.
Why is it called ‘Satan II’?
People in the West have given this missile a scary nickname — “Satan II”. Russia is making it to replace about 40 old Soviet-era Voyevoda missiles. Putin noted that the new Sarmat is as strong as the old ones but far more accurate when it comes to hitting targets. It forms part of Russia’s larger plan to create smart weapons that can avoid future defence systems. One example is the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, which travels 27 times faster than the speed of sound. To understand that speed, imagine something moving much quicker than any regular plane or jet you have ever seen.
This massive missile weighs more than 100 tons. It is launched from deep underground silos so it stays safe and can surprise enemies. The Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau created it. One of its most important abilities is carrying MIRVs, which means Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicles. Simply put, one missile can split and attack many different places at the same time. It is believed the Sarmat can carry up to 10 heavy warheads, 16 lighter ones, or even 24 hypersonic glide vehicles.
With its enormous size, great range, and power to dodge defences, the Sarmat sends a clear and strong message from Russia to the world. Only time will show whether it truly shifts the balance of global power. For now, it remains a reminder of how advanced and serious modern weapons have become.
(Girish Linganna is an award-winning science communicator and a Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical Analyst. He is the Managing Director of ADD Engineering Components India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany.)
(Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author’s own and do not reflect those of News24)
