Russia Plans 1st Sarmat Regiment by Year-End After Successful ICBM Test
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · May 13
Russia Plans 1st Sarmat Regiment by Year-End After Successful ICBM Test
10 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · May 13
A first regiment of Russia’s nuclear-capable Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile is due to go on duty in the Krasnoyarsk region by the end of 2026, Strategic Missile Forces commander Sergey Karakayev told Vladimir Putin.
A successful test cleared the way for that deployment, according to the televised meeting where Putin confirmed the year-end timetable.
The announcement came as Russian and Ukrainian forces resumed strikes after a short ceasefire, tying the missile move to a renewed wartime backdrop.
Sarmat has been presented by Moscow as a key strategic deterrent after years of delays, with the Kremlin using its rollout to signal nuclear strength amid the Ukraine war.
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Russia’s Sarmat ICBM: Deployment Timeline, Technical Hurdles, and Strategic Impact
Overview
Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced that Russia will deploy its nuclear-capable Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) by the end of the year, following a successful test confirmed by the commander of the Strategic Missile Forces. The first regiment equipped with the heavy Sarmat missile, which can carry a payload of up to 10 tons, is expected to be stationed in the Krasnoyarsk region. This move comes as Moscow and Kyiv resume strikes after a brief ceasefire, highlighting Russia’s ongoing efforts to modernize its strategic nuclear arsenal and strengthen its deterrence capabilities.