Russia is set to deploy its nuclear-capable Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the end of the year, a system President Putin has described as “the most powerful missile in the world”.
Reuters reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile will enter combat service by the end of the year. The announcement came after Russia test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile on Tuesday as part of efforts to modernize its nuclear forces.
Putin said the Sarmat, one of several new weapons unveiled in 2018, is as powerful as the Soviet-built Voyevoda but offers greater precision. He said it was built to replace the aging Voyevoda.
According to Putin, the missile’s warhead yield is more than four times greater than any Western equivalent, and its range exceeds 35,000 km (21,750 miles). Western analysts estimated the Sarmat’s range is closer to 18,000 km.
Either range would be sufficient to reach any city in the United States from Russian territory. Moscow is about 7,500 km (4,660 miles) from New York.
