MOSCOW: Russia has successfully conducted a test of its new RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), according to foreign media reports.
Russian Strategic Missile Forces Commander Sergei Karakayev briefed President Vladimir Putin on the successful launch on Tuesday.
President Putin said Russia plans to formally place the Sarmat missile into military service by the end of this year.
Describing Sarmat as “the world’s most powerful” nuclear-capable missile, Putin said it is capable of striking targets thousands of miles away in the United States and Europe.
In televised remarks, he claimed the missile’s warhead capacity is four times greater than that of comparable Western systems and said its range exceeds 35,000 kilometers.
Putin also asserted that the Sarmat missile can evade all existing and future missile defense systems.
Commander Karakayev said the deployment of launchers equipped with the Sarmat missile system will significantly enhance Russia’s combat readiness and strengthen its strategic deterrence capabilities.