Russia appears to have suffered a “catastrophic failure” in a test of its Sarmat missile, a key weapon in the modernisation of its nuclear arsenal, according to arms experts who have analysed satellite images of the launch site.
The images captured by Maxar on 21 September show a crater about 60 metres wide at the launch silo at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. They reveal extensive damage that was not visible in pictures taken earlier in the month.
The RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, known in the West as Satan II, is designed to deliver nuclear warheads to strike targets thousands of miles away in the United States or Europe, but its development has been dogged by delays and testing setbacks.
Timothy Wright, research associate at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London, said the destruction of the area immediately surrounding the missile silo was suggestive of a failure soon after ignition.
“One possible cause is that the first stage (booster) either failed to ignite properly or suffered from a catastrophic mechanical failure, causing the missile to fall back into or land closely adjacent to the silo and explode,” he told Reuters.
Mapped: Ukraine’s incursion into the Russian Kursk region explained
Tom Watling23 September 2024 20:00
Ukraine bans Telegram messenger app on state-issued devices because of Russian security threat
Tom Watling23 September 2024 19:00
Watch: Russian arms depot ablaze after massive Ukrainian drone attack
Arms depot ablaze deep inside Russia after massive Ukrainian drone attack
An arms depot in Russia’s south-western region of Krasnodar appeared to have been hit in a massive Ukrainian drone attack overnight on Friday 20 September, as verified footage on social media showed explosions at the scene. Other attacks were also reported in occupied Crimea and the Tver region, northwest of Moscow, and Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had shot down more than 100 drones. More than 1,000 people have been evacuated from Krasnodar after Ukraine launched the drones over the border.
Tom Watling23 September 2024 18:00
Takeaways from AP’s report on warning signs about suspect in apparent Trump assassination attempt
Tom Watling23 September 2024 17:00
At the UN, world leaders try to lay out a vision for the future — and actually make it happen
Tom Watling23 September 2024 16:00
Putin’s forces are desperate for a prize eastern city and Ukraine will fight street-to-street to keep them out
Tom Watling23 September 2024 15:11
Mapped: Ukraine’s incursion into the Russian Kursk region explained
Tom Watling23 September 2024 14:41
Over 20 people wounded after Russia strikes apartment blocks in Ukraine’s Kharkiv
Tom Watling23 September 2024 13:29
Ukraine accuses Russia of seeking to illegally control strategic sea as arbitration hearings open
Tom Watling23 September 2024 13:03