Kremlin: Russia notified West over "Sarmat" missile tests

Russia has informed the United States and other countries in advance of tests of its intercontinental ballistic missile Sarmat, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has said.

“Of course,” Peskov told Russian media when asked whether Moscow had notified Washington and other capitals ahead of the launch.

Under international arrangements designed to reduce the risk of unintended escalation, notifications of intercontinental missile launches are transmitted to other states via Russia’s National Centre for Nuclear Risk Reduction.

Earlier, President Vladimir Putin said Russia will deploy its new Sarmat intercontinental strategic nuclear missile by the end of this year, describing it as “the most powerful in the world”.

In televised remarks, Putin claimed the system has a range exceeding 35,000 km and a warhead yield more than four times greater than Western equivalents, adding that it could penetrate all existing and future missile defence systems.

The planned deployment follows years of reported setbacks, including a failed 2024 test that Western analysts said caused significant damage at a launch site.

Despite this, Russian state television aired a briefing from the commander of the strategic missile forces, who reported a successful recent test-launch and said the system would significantly strengthen Russia’s nuclear deterrent.