Russian President Vladimir Putin has suffered an emabarassing setback as his feared Satan 2 nuclear arsenal failed four out of five missile tests, according to arms experts and satellite imagery from the launch site.
High-resolution satellite images of the launch pad at Russia’s Plesetsk test site, where the RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile exploded, shows extensive damage.
A crater approximately 60 meters wide at the launch silo at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia, along with visible damage in the surrounding area that was not present in images taken earlier in the month.
Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with the Director of the National Research Centre Kurchatov Institute, Mikhail Kovalchuk, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, Sept. 23, 2024.
Alexander Kazakov/Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP
The photos were shared by OSINT researcher and Institute for the Study of War (ISW) representative George Barros on X, formerly Twitter.
Barross said in a post on X: “Maxar collected new high-resolution satellite imagery yesterday (September 21st) that reveals the aftermath of a dramatic launch failure of a Russian RS-28 ICBM.”
According to OSINT analysts of satellite imagery, Russia conducted an unsuccessful test of the Sarmat missile at the Plesetsk test site.
The missile’s liquid-fuel engine likely exploded as it was exiting the launch shaft.
Based on satellite imagery of the Planet Labs test site, an OSINT analyst said the test ended in “complete failure.”
According to reports, the explosion in the silo created a huge crater and destroyed the test site.
The damage to infrastructure will likely result in delays in missile testing and may require further financial investments to fix the launch facility.
Since the Sarmat uses liquid fuel, the explosion could have occurred even without the actual launch of the rocket.
In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2024, Russian RS-24 Yars strategic ballistic missiles launcher moves out a hangar during a drills in Ivanovo region, Russia.
Russian Defense Ministry Press Service photo via AP
This is the fourth unsuccessful attempt to test this new heavy intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads.
The only successful test of the Sarmat missile took place on April 20, 2022.
Russia has not acknowledged the missile test or confirmed that it failed.
Victoria Vdovychenko, joint leader of the Ukraine Programme at the University of Cambridge Centre for Geopolitics, told Newsweek:
“From a strategic standpoint, it seems unlikely that Moscow would want to provoke a direct confrontation with NATO, given the shift in the balance of power that would ensue. Yet, there’s a fringe theory among Russian opposition circles suggesting that Putin might be willing to see a nuclear confrontation unfold—a theory that remains unsubstantiated but adds an unsettling undertone to the geopolitical tension.
“Ukraine’s future as a free, democratic, and secure nation hinges on not just military strength but on diplomatic and economic integration with the West. It’s a vision that calls for resilience, partnership, and unwavering commitment, highlighting how Ukraine is positioning itself as a pivotal player in the broader European security landscape.”
The Sarmat missile, also known as the RS-28 Sarmat, is a Russian intercontinental ballistic missile designed to replace the older R-36M (known by NATO as the SS-18 Satan).
It is part of Russia’s strategic nuclear arsenal and is considered one of the most advanced and powerful ICBMs in the world.
It can carry multiple warheads, including nuclear ones, with estimates suggesting it can deliver up to 10–15 independently targetable reentry vehicles (MIRVs).
The missile has an extended range, capable of reaching targets anywhere in the world, including the U.S. mainland, making it a critical part of Russia’s deterrence strategy.
The Sarmat is equipped with modern countermeasures to evade missile defense systems, including the ability to deploy decoys or hypersonic glide vehicles to make interception more difficult.
It travels very high speeds and can follow unpredictable flight paths, bypassing traditional missile defense radars.
The Sarmat is a key component of Russia’s effort to modernize its nuclear forces and maintain its strategic parity with the U.S. and other nuclear powers.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelensky will meet with President Joe Biden in the U.S. this week.
During his trip to the U.S. this week, he will present his “victory plan” to the President and meet separately with Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump to rally support for Kyiv.
“The reason is quite simple: to present the strategy of victory for Ukraine as well as convincing US and western allies to give permission to have deep strikes,” Vdovychenko said.
“Ukraine’s plan for victory is designed to be realized with the backing of international partners and allies, not by relying on Russia’s willingness to end the conflict. This underscores a pragmatic understanding that Ukraine’s future security hinges on international cooperation and a strong, independent defense posture,” Vdovychenko added.
Ukraine is seeking strong security guarantees similar to NATO’s mutual defense pact, reflecting its goal to firmly establish itself within Western security structures and secure long-term protection against Russian aggression.
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