Strategic Implications

At a time in which NATO nuclear states are debating whether or not to invest in the modernization of their nuclear weapons systems, the development of a new heavy ICBM by the Russian Federation serves to satisfy both symbolic and tactical objectives. The RS-28 represents a reassertion of Russia’s status as a nuclear superpower, at parity with—or even more advanced than—the capabilities of the United States. The credibility of the Russian Strategic Rocket Forces will also become reinforced as this missile expands upon the already impressive capabilities of the R-36M2 Voyevoda. These progressions include, but are not limited to, increased accuracy and warhead capacity. Additionally, the potential for the RS-28 platform to be coupled with hypersonic glide vehicles permit the weapon system to render all existing anti-ballistic missile systems obsolete.   RS-28 Sarmat (Satan 2) – Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance

Speaking of the Satan-2 weapon, also known as Sarmat, Col-Gen Karakayev said: "Starting from 2022, it is planned to begin gradual removal of the heavy-class silo-based Voyevoda missile system and replace it with Sarmat."

The 15,880mph weapon can deliver between 10 and 15 warheads that weigh up to 10-tonnes to any point in the world flying over both the North and South Poles, say the Kremlin.

It has the capability to use trajectories and unpredictable routes which “substantially impede their destruction even by advanced missile defence systems”.

Karakayev also vowed to keep developing hypersonic weapons - which move too fast for current missile defence systems - to stay ahead of the West.

The deadly weapon can fly around the world at speeds of nearly 16,000mph

The Russian hypersonic glide vehicle which allows the missile to evade defence systems

He said: "We must understand this and do it and go further with hypersonic weapons.

“By the time they find an antidote, we must have found another solution to this.

“And today we are working on it. There are developments, there is work in progress.

“I think that this task is within our reach.”

UNSTOPPABLE KILLER

Moscow also made clear that in the coming year it would launch more than ten intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) - rockets which can fly across the globe.

This compares with a total of 25 such launches in the past five years, indicating a significant increase.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has insisted that her country has “no aggressive intentions”.

“We have repeatedly said that on our sovereign territory we have every right to move military units at our own discretion,” she said.

But she claimed that NATO “is doing everything to destabilise the situation on the continent and undermine the foundations of European security."

Putin’s 16,000mph ‘Satan-2’ nuke with 12 warheads that could destro...   Excerpts from concerning Satan-2