RUSSIAN ARSENAL. Russia is one of the greatest military powers in the world, in particular the one with the largest nuclear arsenal. With the Satan 2 missile, thousands of warheads and bombers, Russia is capable of launching a destructive attack over a large part of the world.
Russia is unquestionably the greatest nuclear power of the 21st century and Moscow knows it well. The strategy – and one could say the habit – of Vladimir Putin of raising the threat of a nuclear attack during major international tensions is therefore not surprising, but it legitimately creates the concern of the other world powers. Not that they cannot respond to the offensive, but their arsenal is very limited compared to the Russian strike force.
The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute thus estimates the number of nuclear warheads held by the Kremlin at 6,225, compared to 5,550 for the United States, the second most nuclear-powered nation. And even when we count only the “deployed” missiles, that is to say ready for use, the Russian Federation remains the best equipped with nearly 1600 warheads. However, this dominant position does not guarantee victory and above all does not exempt Russia from suffering the terrible consequences of a nuclear attack.
What gives such military power to the country of Vladimir Putin is obviously the number of missiles but also the ability to send nuclear attacks from the ground, the air, the waters and even the seabed. The development of the nuclear arsenal has always been an objective of the master of the Kremlin and it led to the manufacture of the RS-28 Sarmat missile, nicknamed “Satan 2” by NATO, which crystallizes all the fears of international observers.
The Satan 2 missile, what is it?
In appearance, the black cylinder takes up the characteristics of intercontinental ballistic missiles except that its dimensions are exaggeratedly large: 30 meters long for more than a hundred tons. Its size allows it to be heavily loaded with twelve nuclear warheads and inflict unparalleled damage. According to Russian communication elements, a single Satan 2 missile could, in just a few seconds, destroy a territory of 10,000 kilometers. According to the information relayed by the Russian media, France or the State of Texas could be wiped off the map with a single bombardment. Information to be taken with precaution, a share of propaganda being at work in the Russian media. In study and in production for several years, the Satan 2 or RS-28 Sarmat of its real name has been ready since 2021 to be deployed by the Russian military forces in the event of a conflict.
Satan 2 missiles are not only feared for their strike force. The devices resulting from the new technology have, still according to Russian information, a stealth mode capable of escaping the vigilance of air radars. Their trajectory has also been designed to complicate their destruction by anti-aircraft defense systems.
More than 6000 nuclear warheads, what are the Russian nuclear forces?
Russia has the largest number of nuclear warheads: 6,225, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. However, among these thousands of warheads some are not operational, others under maintenance and others still at the end of their life awaiting dismantling, the fact remains that 1600 missiles are “deployed” either ready to launch at any time. Most nuclear weapons are intercontinental ballistic missiles, understand capable of being sent more than 3,000 kilometers and at very high speed. In addition to being able to launch attacks over – very – long distances, Russia can, thanks to its bombers, its submarines and its surface ships, send a nuclear bomb from where it wishes.
According to information from NATO, Russia is still working on optimizing its nuclear arsenal with the manufacture of a hypersonic missile flying at extreme speed at low altitude and capable of maneuvering in full flight to thwart the tracing of bombs by the enemy. These missiles of a new kind are still in the test phase but remain a threat to be taken into account.
Does Russia have an air defense system?
If it is equipped with a large offensive arsenal, Russia has also invested in defensive technologies against the air attacks that can be inflicted on it. Since 2021, Moscow has benefited from the S-500 Prometei anti-aircraft missile system, considered to be one of the most efficient in the world. The device is capable of destroying all types of targets, aircraft, drones but also intercontinental or hypersonic ballistic missiles and is able to engage 10 simultaneous defensive responses.