Ballistic Missile
RS-28 Sarmat
The RS-28 Sarmat (NATO: SS-X-30 Satan II) is a Russian liquid-fuelled heavy ICBM made by the Makeyev Design Bureau, intended to replace the R-36M2. Its first successful test was in 2022, but its combat-duty status remains unconfirmed.
Russia|Makeyev Design Bureau & KrasmashOverview
Development of the RS-28 Sarmat began around 2009–2011 at the Makeyev Design Bureau in Miass, with series production at Krasmash in Krasnoyarsk. It is meant to replace the Soviet-era R-36M2 Voevoda (SS-18 Satan) in silos. Russian figures give a launch mass of about 208 t, a length of roughly 35 m, a diameter of about 3 m and a throw weight near 10 t. The claimed range is up to 18,000 km, allowing attacks over either pole.
The first successful test took place on 20 April 2022 at Plesetsk; earlier launches reportedly failed. Western reports said a September 2024 test ended in a silo explosion, and Russia gave few details. Russian officials claim it carries 10–15 MIRVs or Avangard glide vehicles, but these figures are unverified. As of late 2026 no independent source confirms regular combat duty, so it is best described as in development or early deployment. It has never been used in combat.
Key Specifications
Variants
The baseline RS-28 Sarmat is the silo-launched liquid-fuelled heavy ICBM with MIRV capability.
The Avangard-payload version would carry the hypersonic glide vehicle, according to Russian officials and media.
The R-36M2 Voevoda (SS-18 Satan) is the Soviet-era predecessor that Sarmat is designed to replace.
Operators
RussiaFrequently Asked Questions
What is the range of the Sarmat missile?
The RS-28 Sarmat has a claimed range of up to 18,000 km, which would let it strike targets over either pole. This figure comes from Russian officials and has not been independently verified.
Is the Sarmat hypersonic?
No, the Sarmat missile itself is not hypersonic in the glider sense. It follows an ICBM ballistic trajectory. It may release Avangard boost-glide vehicles, but those payloads are what is described as hypersonic, per Russian claims.
Is the Sarmat in service?
The RS-28 Sarmat is not independently confirmed to be on regular combat duty as of late 2026. Russian officials have repeatedly said it will enter service soon, but the missile is best treated as in development or early deployment.
How many warheads can the Sarmat carry?
The RS-28 Sarmat is claimed to carry 10–15 MIRVs, or Avangard hypersonic glide vehicles. These figures come from Russian officials and media and have not been independently verified. Throw weight is about 10 t.
Sarmat vs Minuteman III: which is stronger?
The Sarmat is far heavier, at about 208 t, and is claimed to carry up to 10 t of payload. The US Minuteman III is a smaller solid-fuel ICBM now being replaced by the LGM-35A Sentinel. The Sarmat’s figures are unverified.
Did the Sarmat test fail in 2024?
Western reports said a Sarmat test at Plesetsk in September 2024 ended in a silo explosion visible on satellite imagery. Russia did not comment in detail. The first successful test took place on 20 April 2022.
