Putin Hails Satan II ICBM Test Amidst Russian Military Weakness
Russia recently test-fired its new intercontinental ballistic missile, the Sarmat, as part of its ongoing nuclear forces modernization. President Putin, claiming the missile to be the world’s most powerful, stated it would enter combat service by year-end, replacing older Soviet-era weapons. This development follows Putin’s assertion that the conflict in Ukraine is nearing its conclusion and occurs in the context of the expiration of the last U.S.-Russia nuclear arms pact. The Sarmat missile is designed to carry a substantial payload and can employ suborbital flight for enhanced penetration of missile defenses.