Recent satellite imagery indicates that Russia may have experienced a failed test of its Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, known as Satan II, at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome on September 19, 2024.

This incident marks the fourth consecutive failure in testing the Sarmat missile, raising serious concerns about its reliability and effectiveness.

Satellite images from Maxar reveal a large crater, approximately 60 meters wide, at the launch silo in Plesetsk, suggesting a significant explosion occurred.

Experts, including Pavel Podvig, suggest that the explosion may have happened during the missile's defueling process, further complicating the test's outcome.

Markus Schiller, a rocket specialist, emphasized that this incident underscores ongoing reliability issues within Russia's missile industry.

Amid these developments, President Vladimir Putin has continued to make nuclear threats, asserting Russia's advanced nuclear capabilities and warning Western nations against escalating support for Ukraine.

Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War have noted that the latest failure reflects Russia's struggles in developing new missile technologies, exacerbated by international sanctions.

Despite previous claims of nearing completion, Putin acknowledged in October 2023 that administrative tasks are delaying the Sarmat missile's deployment.

Russian state media has been restricted from reporting on the explosion, and evidence suggests that the missile test was aborted before the explosion occurred.

Witnesses reported fires burning at the test site for several hours following the explosion, with fire trucks deployed to manage the situation.

Experts remain skeptical about the missile's operational status, noting that its test flights have not been completed, casting doubt on its readiness for deployment.

The RS-28 Sarmat missile, designed to carry multiple nuclear warheads over long distances, has faced numerous development setbacks since its initial planned deployment in 2018.