Putin Claims Successful Test of ‘Doomsday’ Sarmat Missile After Years of Failures and Delays

Russia says it successfully tested its Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, reviving claims about the troubled “doomsday” weapon after years of failed launches, explosions and repeated delays. President Vladimir Putin called it the world’s most powerful missile, despite ongoing uncertainty over its full operational deployment. Make us preferred on Google Flip Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied This grab made from a handout video footage released by the Russian Defence Ministry on April 20, 2022 shows the launching of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile at Plesetsk testing field, Russia. - Russian President said that Russia has successfully tested the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, saying the next-generation capable of carrying nuclear charges will make Kremlin's enemies "think twice." (Photo by Handout / Russian Defence Ministry / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / Russian Defence Ministry" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Russian President Vladimir Putin said Moscow had successfully tested its Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile on Monday, reviving a troubled nuclear weapons program marred by repeated failures, explosions, and years of missed deployment deadlines. Putin was informed of the launch during a video call with Strategic Missile Forces commander Sergei Karakayev, who said the test confirmed the missile’s design and technological reliability. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . “The launch was successful,” Karakayev told Putin, according to Kremlin footage released Tuesday. Putin again described the Sarmat as “the most powerful missile system in the world,” claiming it can travel more than 35,000 kilometers. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia notified the United States and other countries ahead of the launch. The Sarmat – designed to replace the aging Soviet-era Voevoda missiles, known in NATO as “Satan” – has become one of Russia’s most delayed strategic weapons projects. The Kremlin originally promised the missile would enter service in 2020, but deployment has repeatedly slipped. Putin and senior Russian officials have spent years insisting the system was close to operational readiness despite mounting technical setbacks. Russia first claimed a successful Sarmat test shortly after launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, with Putin claiming the weapon would strengthen Russia’s nuclear deterrent and force Moscow’s enemies to “think twice.” Other Topics of Interest Russian Drone Hits Kryvyi Rih Apartment Block, Kills Two A Russian drone strike hit a residential building in Kryvyi Rih, killing two people and injuring others, including a nine‑month‑old child. Separate drone attacks in Kherson wounded civilians, as Russia intensified strikes across the region. In early 2024, Putin claimed the first serial-produced Sarmat missiles had already been delivered to Russian forces. Yet by October 2025, he publicly admitted the missile was still not on combat duty. Several other tests ended in failure. In September 2024, a Sarmat missile exploded inside a launch silo during testing at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Another launch in November 2025 reportedly failed after the missile remained airborne for about a minute before crashing. The latest test also comes days after Russian authorities arrested Alexander Gavrilov, head of the Krasmash defense plant that manufactures the missiles, on embezzlement charges. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization since 1995. Its international market reach of 97% outside of Ukraine makes it truly Ukraine’s Global – and most reliable – Voice.