Satan 2: Russia’s Doomsday Missile That Terrifies the West

Today we revisit one of Russia’s weapons that could pose a serious threat to the world if a third world war were to erupt: the RS-28 Sarmat. Russians call it RS-28 Sarmat, while NATO nicknamed it Satan 2.

It is one of the world's most fearsome weapons, classified as a super heavy intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Sarmat, or Satan 2, is one of the strategic weapons meant to deter Russia’s enemies.

The missile was first revealed by President Vladimir Putin on March 1, 2018. It officially entered service in September 2023.

Specifications of Satan 2:

• Weight: 208.1 tons

• Length: 35.3 meters

• Diameter: 3 meters

• Range: Up to 18,000 km

• Payload: Carries up to 12 nuclear warheads

This nuclear missile has a destructive power of 50 megatons, which is 2,000 times more powerful than the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II.

Experts say that Satan 2 could wipe out a country like France in just 6 minutes.

For example, if launched from Moscow to Paris (approx. 10,000 km), it would take only 6 minutes at a speed of 7 km per second.

So far, no missile defense system in the world can intercept this missile, due to its incredible speed, according to the Kremlin during its official unveiling.

Satan 2 is categorized among Russia’s strategic deterrence weapons, alongside others like Kinzhal, which we will cover in future articles.

Next time, we will explain the difference between missile and aircraft defense systems like Russia’s S-400 (favored by NATO-member Turkey) and America’s Patriot system.

Analysis by Rudahunga Désiré