Putin hails Russia’s test launch of ‘Satan II’ as world’s most powerful missile

President Vladimir Putin observed a successful test of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile Tuesday, declaring it the world’s most powerful nuclear weapon as he simultaneously claimed the conflict in Ukraine is nearing its end.

Russia test-fired its new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile Tuesday, a launch President Vladimir Putin hailed as a milestone in modernizing the nation’s nuclear triad. According to CBS News, the test comes just days after Putin claimed fighting in Ukraine is nearing an end and follows the February expiration of the last remaining nuclear arms pact with the U.S.  

The Sarmat—dubbed “Satan II” by NATO—is designed to carry multiple warheads and evade missile defenses via suborbital flight. “This is the most powerful missile in the world,” Putin declared, asserting its payload yield is four times higher than Western counterparts. He confirmed the missile will enter combat service by year’s end. Experts noted the launch signals a reassertion of nuclear parity during a period of unconstrained global arsenals.

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