Russia tested the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile around the time US President Joe Biden was in Kiev, CNN reported , citing two US officials familiar with the matter. American authorities believe that the tests were unsuccessful.
According to one of the sources, Moscow warned Washington about the impending launch via a special communication channel, which is used in such cases to avoid conflict situations. In the United States, it is believed that if the tests were successful, Vladimir Putin would certainly have mentioned this in his address to the Federal Assembly, which he delivered on February 21. During this speech, the president announced that Russia was suspending participation in the Strategic Offensive Arms Treaty (START).
The Sarmat missile, which is called Satan II in the West, is capable of carrying several nuclear warheads at once, its range is 11,000 km. The first test of this weapon took place in April 2022, when the Russian Ministry of Defense reported on the successful launch.