Russia Deploys Advanced Sarmat Nuclear Missile System for Combat Operations

Russia has reportedly put its advanced intercontinental ballistic missile system, the Sarmat, on combat duty, according to the head of the country's space agency. The Sarmat is capable of carrying up to 15 nuclear warheads and has a range of approximately 18,000km. It is designed to replace Russia's older generation of intercontinental ballistic missiles. The missile's short initial launch phase makes it difficult to track, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously stated that it would make Russia's enemies "think twice" about their threats.