Putin’s so-called “unstoppable” Satan II nuclear missile suffered another catastrophic failure, exploding during a test launch and leaving a massive 200-foot crater—exposing the dangerous gap between Russian propaganda and military reality.
Story Highlights
- Russia’s RS-28 Sarmat “Satan II” missile exploded during September 2024 test launch at Plesetsk Cosmodrome
- Satellite imagery reveals 60-meter crater and fire trucks responding to the disaster
- Only one confirmed successful test since 2017, undermining Putin’s nuclear deterrence claims
- Russian authorities maintain complete silence about the failure despite overwhelming evidence
Putin’s Nuclear Embarrassment Caught on Satellite
Russia’s flagship nuclear weapon program suffered a humiliating setback on September 21, 2024, when the RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile—dubbed “Satan II”—exploded catastrophically during testing at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. Satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs captured the aftermath: fire trucks rushing to the scene, billowing smoke, and a massive crater measuring 60-62 meters wide where Putin’s “unstoppable” weapon was supposed to launch.
The failure represents far more than a technical glitch—it exposes the hollow nature of Putin’s military boasting and raises serious questions about Russia’s actual nuclear capabilities. NASA’s fire detection systems confirmed the blaze, while Western intelligence agencies documented yet another failure in what was supposed to be Russia’s most advanced strategic weapon system.
Pattern of Repeated Failures Despite Official Claims
The September disaster marks the fifth documented failure of the Sarmat program since 2017, with only one confirmed successful test occurring in April 2022. Despite Putin’s grandiose unveiling of the missile in March 2018 as one of six revolutionary strategic weapons, the super-heavy ICBM has proven unreliable and dangerous even to its own operators. The liquid-fueled system, designed to carry multiple nuclear warheads and approach targets from unexpected directions, has consistently failed to meet performance expectations.
Timothy Wright from the Institute for Strategic Studies suggests the first stage likely failed, causing the missile to fall back into its launch silo and detonate. This technical assessment aligns with satellite evidence showing extensive damage to the launch infrastructure, contradicting Russian claims of operational readiness and successful deployment.
Strategic Implications for Nuclear Deterrence
The Sarmat’s chronic failures undermine Russia’s nuclear modernization program and strategic deterrence credibility at a critical time. Originally intended to replace Soviet-era R-36M missiles and ensure parity with American defense systems, the weapon’s unreliability raises questions about Putin’s ability to back up his nuclear threats with functional technology. Defense analysts note that Russia has not deployed the missile in significant numbers despite official claims of operational service beginning in 2023.
Russian authorities’ complete silence regarding the September failure speaks volumes about their inability to spin this disaster into propaganda gold. Unlike previous weapons tests where Moscow eagerly released footage and made bold proclamations, the Kremlin’s refusal to acknowledge or explain the Sarmat explosion suggests they recognize the severity of this technological and political embarrassment.
Putin’s Satan II missile explodes on take-off
‘World’s deadliest weapon’ with a range of 11,000 miles suffers fifth failed test launch
Antonia Langford
01 December 2025 1:28pm GMThttps://t.co/pN2EgCfb9t— John Hallam (@johnhallam2001) December 2, 2025
For American conservatives who understand the importance of peace through strength, Russia’s nuclear fumbling serves as a reminder that authoritarian regimes often prioritize propaganda over actual capability. While we must remain vigilant about genuine threats to national security, Putin’s Satan II failures demonstrate that his bark may indeed be worse than his bite when it comes to next-generation strategic weapons.
Sources:
Putin’s Satan II ballistic missile explodes on take-off
