By Our Reporter
(SOURCE: Agencies)
WORLD NEWS
Russia is ready to deploy its new generation intercontinental ballistic missile, the Sarmat, capable of carrying 10 or more nuclear warheads. This mobilization is related to the war in Ukraine.
This was revealed by President Putin Yesterday, Wednesday, 21st June 2023 while addressing new graduates of the Russian military academy in the St. George Hall of the Kremlin, Moscow.
“The first Sarmat launcher will perform combat missions in the near future,” Putin said.
The 35 meter long liquid-fuel RS-28 Sarmat missile is designed to reach targets up to 18,000 kilometers away with Putin saying the United States of America and Europe can easily be reached.
Sarmat ICBM weighs 100 tonnes (for comparison, the US-made LGM-30 Minuteman is 35 tonnes) with a range of 18,000km (11184 mi) This allows it to carry around 15 warheads, up to 750kt. (The bomb US dropped on Hiroshima was 15kt.) This would be enough to wipe out a country the size of France. It can also carry hypersonic missiles, rendering most missile defense systems ineffective.
In his speech, Putin stressed the importance of Russia’s “triad” of nuclear forces that can be launched from land, sea and air. “The most important task is the development of the nuclear triad which is the main guarantee of Russia’s military security and global stability. Already about half of the Strategic Missile Forces units and formations are equipped with the latest ballistic missile systems. The troops are equipped with modern missile systems with intercontinental hypersonic warheads,” he said.
Since the beginning of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Putin has repeatedly stated his readiness to use any means including nuclear weapons to defend “territorial integrity”. However, recently, Putin declared that Ukrainian forces no longer have the opportunity for a counter attack, so Russia does not need to use nuclear weapons.
“Ukraine has suffered significant losses in its attack in the Southern region. Although Ukraine maintains an offensive position, they have realized that there is no opportunity in their counterattack,” Putin said.
