Russia has successfully tested the new Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile. Sergei Karakayev, the commander of the strategic missile forces, informed President Vladimir Putin of the successful test. Putin described the nuclear-capable missile as the most powerful in the world.
The Russian President welcomed the test launch as a key part of efforts to modernize the country's nuclear forces. Putin stated that Russia plans to deploy the Sarmat and put it on combat duty by the end of this year.
The test occurred months after a treaty with the United States limiting their atomic arsenals lapsed in February. The ending of the New START agreement formally released the world's two largest nuclear powers from a raft of restrictions.