Russia tests nuclear-capable missile amid tensions with West

Russia has successfully test-launched a new nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile, which President Vladimir Putin says would make Moscow’s enemies “think twice,” at a time of heightened tensions with the West over Ukraine.

Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on Wednesday that the Sarmat missile, a long-awaited addition to the country’s nuclear arsenal, was fired for the first time from a silo launcher in Plesetsk State in the country’s northwest Arkhangelsk region at 15:12 a.m. Moscow time (12:12 GMT).

According to the Ministry, the missile’s practice warheads hit designated targets in Kamchatka, nearly 6,000 km (3,700 miles) away in the Pacific.

Putin congratulated the Army on the successful launch of the Sarmat in televised remarks, calling it “a big, significant event” for Russia’s defense industry.

“The new complex has the highest tactical and technical characteristics and is capable of overcoming all modern means of anti-missile defense. It has no analogues in the world and won’t have for a long time to come,” Putin said.

“This truly unique weapon will strengthen the combat potential of our armed forces, reliably ensure Russia’s security from external threats and provide food for thought for those who, in the heat of frenzied aggressive rhetoric, try to threaten our country.”

Dmitry Rogozin, head of the Roscosmos space agency, said Russia’s nuclear forces will start taking delivery of the new missile “in the autumn of this year” once testing is complete.

Douglas Barrie, senior fellow for military aerospace at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, also said the launch was an important milestone after years of delays caused by funding issues and design challenges.

He said more tests would be needed before Russia could actually deploy the missile in place of the ageing SS-18 and SS-19 missiles that were “well past their sell-by date.”

Barrie said Sarmat’s ability to carry 10 or more warheads and decoys, and Russia’s option of firing it over either of the Earth’s poles, posed a challenge to ground and satellite-based radar and tracking systems – “this complicates where you’ve got to look.”

ME