Russia has successfully conducted a test launch of the RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, commonly referred to as Satan II, with President Vladimir Putin asserting it as the most formidable missile globally. Putin announced that the nuclear-capable Sarmat, which can fly suborbitally and has a range surpassing 35,000 kilometers, is set to be operational with the first combat unit by late 2026. This test coincided with Congress's estimate that Trump's Golden Dome missile defense initiative would amount to $1.2 trillion — military experts highlighted that the Sarmat is specifically designed to counter such defenses.
