Russia’s monstrous nuclear-capable Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), projected as the deadliest in the world by Moscow, may have exploded during testing.
The latest satellite images published by Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) researchers and military bloggers on the social media site X on September 21 revealed the failed test. The satellite images were also published with comments by the US-based think tank Institute for the Study of War.
The satellite image shows what is believed to be the aftermath of a test failure of the RS-28 Sarmat ICBM at the launch site Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Arkhangelsk Oblast. The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has not acknowledged the images or provided any information on the alleged test failure.
As seen in the image below, the Yubileynaya launch silo, located at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, resembles a massive bomb crater leading analysts to conclude that the missile likely exploded inside the silo.
The photos also show four fire engines fighting nearby small fires that raged near the collapsed silo. Significant damage has also been done to the adjacent homes and infrastructure. Additionally, a nearby forest was also seen engulfed in fire in the satellite images.
Open-source intelligence analysts stated that the damage seemed to have been caused by an unsuccessful Sarmat test based on photo analysis. However, they disagreed on whether an explosion happened at launch, just before launch, or during fuelling.
Satellite imagery of damage at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Arkhangelsk Oblast captured on September 21 suggests that the Russian military recently conducted an unsuccessful RS-28 "Sarmat" nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test. 🧵(1/7) https://t.co/ErYnzHYxsX
— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) September 23, 2024
A military blogger, who goes by the username ‘MeNMyRC’ on X (formerly Twitter) and was likely the first to publish the image said: “As is readily apparent, the RS-28 Sarmat test was a complete failure. The missile detonated in the silo leaving a massive crater and destroying the test site. The Sarmat is a liquid-fueled missile so this accident could have occurred separately from the actual launch activity. If this occurred as part of the fueling process, it could explain the lack of Cobra Ball activity on the day of the incident.”
EurAsian Times understands that several conjectures are going around on the internet. One such theory suggests that the missile likely exploded soon after ignition or takeoff based on the fire in the forest, which is suspected to have been caused by the ignitable fuel that burst out hundreds of meters from the launch pad.
My thanks to @MT_Anderson for providing this Planet Labs imagery and allowing me to publish it with comments.
As is readily apparent, the RS-28 Sarmat test was a complete failure. The missile detonated in the silo leaving a massive crater and destroying the test site. The… https://t.co/FuKIaTNFVs pic.twitter.com/AuIpQRrDLa
— MeNMyRC (@MeNMyRC1) September 21, 2024
This is not the first time that an RS-28 Sarmat test failure has been reported. In February 2023, US officials said that the test of the heavy Sarmat ICBM, which was reportedly conducted during US President Joe Biden’s visit to Ukraine, had failed. The assertion made by US officials was based on Putin’s speech from around the time, which made no mention of the launch.
Given that Russia has been engaging in constant nuclear saber-rattling and subtly hinting at the readiness of its nuclear weapons, the country’s latest missile test failure is not good news for the country. Several analysts and media reports observed that the failed test has left Russian President Vladimir Putin red-faced as the missile has been positioned as a super weapon.
Russia’s Heavy Sarmat ICBM
The RS-28 Sarmat ICBM, also popularly known as Satan-2, is one of the six strategic nuclear weapons systems Putin flaunted in his 2018 state-of-the-nation address. The ICBM is expected to replace the aging SS-18.
Russia projects the RS-28 Sarmat as a next-generation intercontinental ballistic missile that will serve as the core element of the nation’s silo-based strategic deterrent.
The Sarmat complex, which features an intercontinental ballistic missile, has garnered international attention for its ability to bypass modern missile defense systems. Russia says that the missile can bypass anti-missile defense systems by carrying out a short first boost phase. The objective of this strategy is to shorten the amount of time that hostile air defense systems have to locate and track the missile.
The Sarmat missile is 3 meters in diameter and 35.5 meters in total length, weighs over 200 tons, and can transport multiple warheads. It features a superheavy design and is armed with a thermonuclear warhead capable of reaching intercontinental distances. According to details disclosed during the Army-2019 exhibition, the Sarmat Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile has a remarkable 18,000-kilometer range.
Moscow has labeled the missile unique owing to its unparalleled precision, remarkable speed, and capacity to pass anti-missile defense systems.
According to Russian claims, the Sarmat can carry 15 light nuclear warheads concurrently, allowing a single missile to potentially strike multiple targets simultaneously because these warheads are configured as Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles (MIRVs).
On April 20, 2022, the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region hosted the first launch of the Sarmat rocket. At that time, President Putin highlighted Sarmat’s unmatched technological superiority, emphasizing that there weren’t any comparable systems in the world. Later that same year, reports suggested that the missile had entered serial production.
The missile was announced to be ‘operational’ in September 2023.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the missile was being put on combat duty earlier this year.
Putin announced during his address to the Federal Assembly on February 29, highlighting the strategic importance of the Sarmat missile system. He also confirmed the delivery of the first serial Sarmat heavy ballistic missiles to the troops and expressed his commitment to use them in operational locations soon. “The first serial Sarmat heavy ballistic missiles have also been delivered to the troops. We will soon demonstrate them in the areas where we are on combat duty,” he said.
Russian commentators have frequently highlighted the missile as a severe threat to Western nations. Russian President Vladimir Putin previously noted that the missile would force Russia’s adversaries to “think twice” about their threats. However, recent test failures might cast a shadow over the claims of production and deployment.
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