Putin hails Russia’s test launch of ‘most powerful missile in the world’ | Nuclear Weapons News
Russia Test-Fires New Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, Plans Combat Deployment by Year-End
Published: May 13, 2026
Russia has successfully test-fired its new intercontinental ballistic missile, the Sarmat. President Vladimir Putin characterized the nuclear-capable weapon as the “most powerful” missile in the world, announcing that it is expected to enter combat service by the end of this year.
State television aired footage of Sergei Karakayev, commander of Russia’s strategic missile forces, reporting the successful launch to Putin on Tuesday.
The Sarmat missile, according to Putin, features a warhead yield more than four times that of any Western equivalent and can surpass a range of 35,000 kilometers (21,750 miles) with the ability to perform suborbital flight. He asserted that it could “penetrate all existing and future anti-missile defense systems.”
This test follows several years of development challenges for the Sarmat, which began in 2011. Prior to this launch, there had been only one successful test, with reports of a significant explosion during an abortive test in 2024.
Referred to as “Satan II” in the West, the Sarmat is intended to replace about 40 Soviet-era Voyevoda missiles. During the announcement, Putin claimed that the Sarmat offers equal power to the Voyevoda while improving precision.
The test occurs amid growing concerns regarding the erosion of arms control agreements that have historically governed nuclear arsenals between the United States and Russia. The New START treaty, which capped strategic warheads and delivery systems, expired in February, marking the first time in more than 50 years that there are no formal constraints in place between the two nuclear powers.
While both Moscow and Washington have expressed interest in resuming high-level military dialogue, progress towards a new agreement remains elusive. Each side has accused the other of failing to comply with previous treaty obligations.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump advocated for involving China in any future treaty negotiations, despite China’s nuclear arsenal being significantly smaller than those of Russia and the U.S. Beijing has publicly dismissed this pressure.
Since taking office in 2000, Putin has overseen efforts to modernize Russia’s nuclear triad, introducing advanced systems such as land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, new nuclear submarines, and upgraded nuclear-capable bombers. The Sarmat was first unveiled in 2018, alongside other advanced weaponry, including the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, which can travel 27 times the speed of sound.
In addition to the Sarmat, Russia has deployed the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, utilizing its conventionally armed version in strikes against Ukraine during the ongoing conflict that began in 2022. The Oreshnik has a range of up to 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles), allowing it to target any location in Europe.
Putin also indicated that Russia is in the final stages of developing the nuclear-armed Poseidon underwater drone and the Burevestnik cruise missile, which is powered by miniature atomic reactors. He described these new systems as a response to U.S. missile defense initiatives established after the 2001 withdrawal from a Cold War-era treaty that limited missile defenses.
“Strategic security must be ensured in light of new realities, while maintaining a balance of power and parity,” Putin stated.
