The Russian super-heavy missile that has struggled to leave the ground

Cultures · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Designed to replace the Soviet-era R-36M, the RS-28 Sarmat is a massive, three-stage intercontinental ballistic missile. Yet, despite its terrifying capabilities and high-profile unveiling, a history of catastrophic failures and technical delays has left its operational future deeply uncertain.

The RS-2/8 Sarmat, often called 'Satan II' by media, is a liquid-fueled, heavy ICBM developed by the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau. Unveiled by Vladimir Putin in March 2018, the program was intended to modernize Russia's arsenal by replacing aging systems like the RS-20V and UR-100N. The missile is a technical marvel of scale, weighing 208.1 tonnes and capable of carrying up to 10 tonnes of payload, including multiple warheads or Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles.

However, the development history is defined by an 'abysmal' test record. While the first successful flight occurred in April 2022, subsequent years brought significant setbacks. A catastrophic failure in September 2024 destroyed a test site at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, leaving a 60-metre crater. This disaster forced testing to move to the Yasny/Dombarovsky base, where a further test failed in November 2025 after rocket motor ignition.

The delays are not merely technical but administrative. Internal documents reveal issues with supplier contracts, inadequate transport, and incomplete documentation. These pressures even led to the 2024 arrest of Vladimir Verteletsky, a Ministry of Defence official. Amidst these struggles, official reports have been contradictory; in 2023, Roscosmos leadership claimed the missile had entered service, only for the Russian President to later clarify it was not yet in mass production.

If fully operational, the Sarmat offers a strategic shift. It utilizes a short boost phase to evade satellite detection and possesses Fractional Orbital Bombardment capability, allowing it to fly trajectories over the South Pole to bypass northern missile defenses. Despite these capabilities, as of 2026, the missile has yet to officially enter service.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• The R-36 Satan was a Cold War giant that defined the nuclear arms race.
• The Soviet missile that failed as a weapon but conquered the final frontier
• The Soviet S-200 missile system remains a formidable, if aging, long-range air defense weapon.
• Russia is developing a nuclear-powered cruise missile that critics call a flying Chernobyl.
• The 9K720 Iskander is a sophisticated mobile missile system designed for theater-level combat operations.
• The true meaning of Rumspringa is far from a wild teenage rebellion
• The high-definition debut of a wrestling tradition's 21st anniversary
• A pact made in college triggers a cross-country escape in the series Run
• The night the 30th entrant finally broke the Royal Rumble curse
• From Commercials to Blockbusters: The Cinematic Trajectory of Director Rupert Sanders
• From humble dairy to royal residence: the complex history of Windsor's Royal Lodge
• From Bath to global stages: the career of comedian Russell Howard

More in Traditions & customs · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics