Russia on Tuesday carried out a test launch of a new long-range missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads, months after the expiration of the last major arms control treaty between Moscow and the United States limiting their nuclear arsenals.
The lapse of the New START treaty in February formally removed several restrictions governing the strategic nuclear capabilities of the world’s two largest nuclear powers.
Speaking after receiving a report on the missile test, Vladimir Putin described the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) as the most powerful missile system currently available.
“This is the most powerful missile system in the world,” Putin said following the reported successful launch.
According to the Russian president, the missile is capable of carrying a nuclear payload significantly stronger than those possessed by Western military powers.
He further stated that the Sarmat system would be placed on combat duty before the end of the year.
Although Moscow and Washington agreed to resume high-level military dialogue shortly after the expiration of the New START agreement, there have been no concrete indications of plans to renew or replace the treaty.
Meanwhile, Donald Trump has repeatedly advocated for a broader nuclear agreement that would also include China, whose nuclear stockpile continues to expand, though it remains smaller than those of Russia and the United States.
Beijing, however, has publicly resisted calls to join such an arrangement.
Trump had largely remained silent regarding Russia’s earlier appeals for an extension of the New START treaty, which was signed in 2010 as the latest in a series of nuclear arms agreements dating back to the Cold War era.
Over the years, both Moscow and Washington have accused each other of violating aspects of the agreement.
The Sarmat missile, known within NATO as “Satan II,” is regarded as the first “super heavy” intercontinental ballistic missile developed by post-Soviet Russia.
Putin said the missile has a range of approximately 35,000 kilometres, or about 22,000 miles.