Its trajectory ran from northwestern Arkhangelsk Region to Kamchatka Peninsula in the Far East, the Defense Ministry has said
The Russian military has conducted a successful test of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), according to the Defense Ministry in Moscow.
The test warhead, which was launched from Plesetsk Cosmodetome in Arkhangelsk Region, followed a trajectory which took it across the county to Kura training range in Kamachatka Peninsula in the Far East, the ministry said in a statement on Friday.
“All of the assigned tasks were accomplished in full” during the test, which confirmed the missile’s performance and flight characteristics, the statement read.
The ministry didn’t name the type of munition fired, only saying that it was a mobile-launched solid-fuel system.
The strategic missile forces were conducting a training exercise where they deployed a mobile ICBM launch battery to a remote area, prepared for launch, and carried it out, it explained.
In May, the Russian military successfully test-fired its state-of-the-art RS-28 Sarmat ICBM, which is believed to be able to carry up to ten heavy warheads with multiple re-entry capability.
Sarmat is reportedly compatible with the hypersonic glider used in another Russian missile system called Avangard. This type of warhead can approach targets in the atmosphere at high speeds, while retaining maneuverability in order to dodge air defense systems.
The commander of the strategic missile forces, General Sergey Karakaev, said that the Russian military is set to equip its first missile regiment with the new weapon system by the end of the year.
Russian President Vladimir Putin described Sarmat as “the most powerful missile system in the world.” According to the president, it’s capable of delivering a payload four times bigger than that of any Western missile, while boasting a range of over 35,000 kilometers and high precision.
According to Putin, Moscow launched its missile development program, focused on bypassing defenses, following the unilateral US withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty in 2022.
“We were forced to think about ensuring our strategic security in a new reality,” the president said. Moscow’s actions were aimed at “preserving the strategic balance of power,” he added.
