Russia recently suffered a major setback in the development of its nuclear arsenal, as a test of its Sarmat missile resulted in a “catastrophic failure.” Satellite images taken by Maxar Technologies on September 21 showed extensive damage to the launch site at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia, with a 200-foot crater visible at the launch silo.
Experts analyzed the images and concluded that the failure likely occurred soon after ignition, possibly due to a booster ignition or mechanical failure. This setback is just one in a series of delays and testing failures that have plagued the development of the RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, also known as Satan II.
Despite repeated setbacks, Russia has touted the Sarmat missile as a key component in its modernization of its nuclear arsenal, capable of delivering nuclear warheads to targets thousands of miles away in the US or Europe.
The Kremlin has not issued any statements regarding the failed test, and the Ministry of Defence has not responded to inquiries. However, experts believe that the failure of the Sarmat test could further delay the missile’s deployment and raise questions about the viability of the program.
This setback comes at a time of heightened tensions between Russia and the West, as the war in Ukraine has strained relations. President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly emphasized Russia’s nuclear capabilities, warning against crossing a threshold that could lead to nuclear war. The delays in the Sarmat program may also impact the readiness of the aging SS-18 missiles that the Sarmat is intended to replace.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
Researchers report catastrophic failure of Russia’s new Sarmat missile | Weapons News
