Putin says Sarmat ballistic missile to be deployed by end of 2022
Al JazeeraThe Russian missile, capable of carrying nuclear warheads and evading radar, was tested in April amid heightened tensions. The deployment will come as part of a larger build-up of Russia’s military, Putin said, adding that troops have already begun to receive S-500 air defence and missile defence systems “that have no match in the world”. “We will continue to develop and strengthen our armed forces, taking into account potential military threats and risks,” said Putin, who praised Russian forces fighting in Ukraine as acting “with courage, professionalism, like real heroes”. The Russian president had previously praised the Sarmat missile as a “truly unique weapon” that will ensure his country’s security from external “threats”. “Of course, the department remains focused on Russia’s unlawful and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has previously said that Russia would only use nuclear weapons if its very existence were threatened.