The Russian military said it has successfully performed the first test of a new nuclear-capable Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), which the country's president, Vladimir Putin, claims would make the West “think twice” about any aggressive intentions against Russia.
“The new complex has the highest tactical and technical characteristics and is capable of overcoming all modern means of anti-missile defence," Putin said. "It has no analogues in the world and will not have for a long time to come."
The Sarmat ICBM was launched on Wednesday from the Plesetsk launch facility in northern Russia and its practice warheads have reportedly reached mock targets on the Kura firing range on the far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula.
Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said that Russia had given the US an advance notice about the launch in line with the 'New Start' nuclear arms control treaty between Moscow and Washington.
“We did...