Sarmat Nuclear Missile Explodes In Pit At Plesetsk Test Site In Russia

• 22.09.2024, 11:39

A huge crater appeared at the test site.

Russian nuclear deterrent forces suffered a failure during new tests of the RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. OSINT analyst MT Anderson published satellite images of the aftermath of the unsuccessful launch at the Plesetsk test site on X.

The images show a large crater that was formed as a result of the missile crash.

"The missile exploded in its pit, leaving a huge crater and destroying the test site," the article reads.

It is not yet known what caused the accident. Since the Sarmat missile has a liquid-fueled rocket engine, an incident with its detonation could have occurred, resulting in a crater.

The cause of the accident remains unknown. The incident likely occurred due to a detonation of the liquid fuel engine or during a launch attempt. The satellite image also shows four fire trucks and a fire near the missile silo, which may indicate an unsuccessful launch attempt.

It is noted that this is already the fourth failed test of the Sarmat heavy ICBM. Of the five attempts, only one was successful – on April 20, 2022.