Russia successfully tests Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile

MOSCOW

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the Russian army Wednesday for a successful test of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile.

Putin said Sarmat has no peers in its class of weapons.

"The Sarmat missile system will ensure the security of Russia, will make those mad who are trying to threaten it," he said at a meeting with military chiefs in Moscow.

In a separate statement, the Defense Ministry said the launch was carried out from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the European part of Russia and the missile landed at an assigned point in Kamchatka, in the Far East.

It said Sarmat's combat equipment was expanded in the number of warheads and types.

The missile can travel at hypersonic speed, the ministry noted, adding that the test is the first in a series.

Sarmat is one of six new Russian strategic weapons that was unveiled on March 1, 2018 by Putin and is expected to enter service later in 2022.