Russia tests the Satan II: “the most powerful missile in the world that can overcome any anti-missile shield”

On Tuesday, Putin highlighted the capabilities of the Sarmat by stating that It is the “most powerful missile system in the world”with a capacity four times greater than that of comparable Western systems.

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According to the Kremlin, the Sarmat can overcome any enemy anti-missile shield and will replace the old Soviet system Voevoda.

Putin also noted that Other Russian strategic projects, such as the Poseidon and Burevestnik missiles, are in their final phase of development.

The test occurs amid questions about the program Sarmatwhich suffered delays due to failed tests. Furthermore, the director of Krasmashthe company in charge of manufacturing these missiles.

The next day, Putin insisted that Russia will continue modernizing its strategic nuclear arsenal to develop missiles capable of surpassing current and future Western anti-missile systems.

During a visit to the Moscow Institute of Thermal Technology, responsible for the design of missiles such as Topol, Bulava and Yars, the president highlighted that These systems strengthen national security and which are also used in the war in Ukraine.

What is Satan II like?

The Sarmat, or “Satan II,” is a heavy intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) developed by Russia as part of the modernization of its strategic nuclear forces. Moscow maintains that it is capable of overcoming any Western missile defense system and achieve objectives practically anywhere on the planet.

The development of the Sarmat began in the early 2010samid the Kremlin’s plans to renew its nuclear arsenal after the deterioration of relations with the United States and NATO. The project was commissioned by the Makeyev State Rocket Center and manufactured by the Krasmash company.

The first launch test officially recognized by Russia occurred in April 2022. Then, Putin claimed the missile would force Moscow’s enemies to “think twice.”

However, the program faced delays and reports of failed tests before the new trial in May 2026.

According to data released by Russia, the Sarmat would have an estimated range of up to 18,000 kilometerswhich would allow it to attack targets in North America, Europe or Asia from Russian territory.

The Kremlin also claims that can follow non-traditional routes —including trajectories over the South Pole— to avoid radars and defense systems.

The Sarmat can carry multiple independent nuclear warheads (MIRV). Different estimates indicate that could carry between 10 and 15 nuclear warheadsalthough the exact configuration is secret.

It would also have the capacity to carry Avangard hypersonic vehicles, capable of maneuvering at extreme speeds. to make it difficult to intercept.

The missile It is designed to be launched from fortified underground silos located on Russian territory. These facilities seek to guarantee nuclear response capacity even in the event of an enemy attack.

What makes it different from other similar missiles? Among the characteristics that Russia highlights of the Sarmat are: its enormous payload, extreme intercontinental range, the ability to evade anti-missile shields, the possibility of transporting hypersonic weapons, its unpredictable trajectories and high destructive power.

Moscow maintains that the missile is four times more powerful than equivalent Western systemsalthough international experts consider that this and other statements could have a propaganda component.

Russia seeks to demonstrate that its military industry is still intact

For the analyst Andrés Gómez de la Torre, specialist in defense and intelligence issues, the successful test of “Satan II” It has a clear geopolitical background and seeks to demonstrate that Russia maintains its strategic military capacity intact. despite the wear and tear of the war in Ukraine.

“The context of the announcement of this strategic missile weapons system is the Russian intention to demonstrate that, despite the military and diplomatic stalemate on the Russian-Ukrainian issue, the Russian military industry continues to have capabilities and has not been diminished in its military-industrial complex,” explained to The Commerce.

The specialist recalled that the Sarmat is a fifth-generation intercontinental ballistic missile that has not yet formally entered service, although Russia plans to add it to its arsenal towards the end of 2026. In addition, he noted that The system will replace the old Soviet SS-18 “Satan” missiles.

Gómez de la Torre highlighted that the Sarmat It has an estimated range of 18 thousand kilometers and the capacity to transport multiple nuclear warheads, characteristics that make it one of the most important strategic weapons in the Russian arsenal.

“It could be able to overcome any anti-missile defense,” he stated.

Nuclear deterrence and psychological warfare

According to Gómez de la Torre, the Sarmat test also responds to a historical Moscow doctrine based on nuclear deterrencepropaganda and psychological warfare, a strategy that – he claims – has been maintained since the Cold War.

“The Russian Federation continues to have in mind generating a threat perception with nuclear weapons”held.

In his opinion, the Kremlin seeks to reinforce the idea that It has “second strike” capability, that is, the possibility of responding with nuclear weapons even after suffering an enemy attack.

He explained that the message is directed especially to the United States and NATO, at times of high international tension.

Gómez de la Torre also warned that the reappearance of nuclear discourse could drive a new stage of military competition among the great powers.

“Today the nuclear weapon is still in force as an instrument of foreign policyparticularly long-range strategic weapons,” Indian.

The specialist added that, although in recent years military attention seemed to focus on technologies such as drones, The Sarmat test demonstrates that intercontinental nuclear missiles continue to be central pieces in the global geopolitical balance.