Putin: Russia Has Nuclear Weapons Impossible To Intercept

Putin: Russia Has Nuclear Weapons Impossible To Intercept

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President Vladimir Putin says Russia has developed a range of new nuclear weapons that he claims can’t be intercepted by an enemy.

Speaking in a nationally televised address, Putin said the new weapons represent a quantum leap in military technology and will render NATO’s US-led missile defense system useless.

Here’s a look at the weapons he announced.

THE SARMAT INTERCONTINENTAL BALLISTIC MISSILE

Russia has been working for years to develop a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to replace the Soviet-designed Voyevoda, the world’s heaviest ICBM known as “Satan” in the West that carries 10 nuclear warheads. Putin announced that the new missile, called Sarmat, is undergoing tests and a video shown during his speech featured its test launch.

Putin said Sarmat weighs 200 metric tons (220 tons) and has a higher range than Satan, allowing it to fly over the North or the South Poles and strike targets anywhere in the world. He added that Sarmat also carries a bigger number of nuclear warheads, which are more powerful than the ones on Satan.

Putin said the new ICBM accelerates faster than its predecessor, making it harder for enemy to intercept it in its most vulnerable phase after the launch. He also said Sarmat could carry an array of warheads capable of dodging missile defenses.

THE NUCLEAR-POWERED GLOBAL- RANGE CRUISE MISSILE

Putin’s announcement that Russia has developed a nuclear-powered cruise missile marks the first time such weapon was officially mentioned.