Russia's RS-28 Sarmat nuclear missile: World's most destructive weapon

Russia’s RS-28 Sarmat, dubbed the “Satan” missile, has emerged as the most advanced and powerful intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the world, significantly enhancing the country’s nuclear deterrence strategy.

First announced by President Vladimir Putin in 2018, the missile has gained international attention for its impressive capabilities, including its massive payload capacity and its ability to evade modern defence systems, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

The RS-28 Sarmat boasts an extraordinary range of over 11,000 miles, enabling it to strike targets anywhere on Earth. Its ability to take unconventional flight paths, such as flying over the South Pole, makes it particularly difficult to intercept by existing missile defence systems.

The missile’s payload is equally formidable, with the capacity to carry up to 10 tons of warheads. This allows for a variety of configurations, including 15 independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs), each equipped with a nuclear warhead. Some reports even suggest it can carry a small number of warheads with yields exceeding 10 megatons.

Furthermore, the Sarmat is compatible with the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, capable of reaching speeds over Mach 20 and evading defences with unpredictable flight patterns. The missile also incorporates advanced countermeasures such as decoys and electronic jamming systems to penetrate sophisticated defence networks like the US Ground-Based Midcourse Defence system.

Deployed in 2022, the RS-28 Sarmat has become the cornerstone of Russia’s nuclear strategy, reinforcing the concept of mutually assured destruction (MAD). With this missile, Russia aims to maintain strategic parity with the United States, bolstering its deterrence capabilities. In comparison, the U.S. has struggled with costly defense upgrades, falling behind in the nuclear arms race.

The RS-28 Sarmat’s destructive power underscores Russia’s growing military strength and its advanced position in the nuclear arms race, making it a force to be reckoned with in global security.

By Vafa Guliyeva