Russia on Tuesday carried out a test launch of its new long-range nuclear-capable missile, just months after the expiration of the last major arms control treaty between Moscow and Washington.
The move comes after the New START treaty officially expired in February, ending the final agreement that placed limits on the nuclear arsenals of the world’s two biggest nuclear powers.
Speaking after the launch, Russian President Vladimir Putin described the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile as “the most powerful missile system in the world.”
He said the weapon would be deployed for active military service before the end of the year.
According to Putin, the missile is capable of carrying nuclear warheads far stronger than those currently possessed by Western militaries.
He also claimed the Sarmat could travel up to 35,000 kilometres.
Known in NATO circles as “Satan II,” the Sarmat is the first post-Soviet Russian intercontinental ballistic missile classified as “super heavy.”
Although Russia and the United States resumed high-level military discussions shortly after New START lapsed, there has been little sign that both sides are close to negotiating a replacement agreement.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly pushed for a broader nuclear treaty that would also include China. Beijing, however, has rejected those calls, insisting it will not be pressured into joining such an arrangement.
Trump had largely stayed quiet on Russia’s earlier requests to extend New START, the 2010 agreement that remained the last surviving nuclear arms treaty between both countries after decades of Cold War-era deals.
In recent years, both Washington and Moscow have accused each other of violating parts of the agreement, further straining efforts to preserve it.
