Latest news with #Sarmat
India.com
15-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Are nuclear weapons always ready or does it take time to activate them? What is the process if a country decides to launch nuclear weapon?
Are nuclear weapons always ready or does it take time to activate them? What is the process if a country decides to do so? In the recent India-Pakistan war-like situation, the topic of nuclear weapon was again revived. The issue of radiation leak from Kerana Hills during the India-Pakistan war is also being discussed a lot on social media at a time when both are nuclear powers. The process of activating a nuclear weapon involves several steps include various steps: Decision making, Command-and-control, Weapons preparation and finally launch. The time to activate nuclear weapons depends on the military preparedness and technical infrastructure of the country. Below is an estimate of the time to major nuclear countries: United States of America: The United States of America has the world's most advanced nuclear programme. The US has land, sea (submarines), and air (bombers) based weapons that are always deployed which can be launched within a time frame of 10-15 minutes. Russia: Russia's nuclear system is so highly advanced that it has automated systems such as 'Dead Hand' (Perimeter), to ensure a counter-attack. Russia's ICBMs, such as the Sarmat missile, can launch in a few minutes. Submarine and mobile launchers may take a little longer, but Russia's strategy is focused on quick response. It's estimated launch time is 3-4 minutes. China: Beijing's nuclear strategy is based on 'no first use' and hence its weapons are not always in deployed position. Its activation and refueling missiles can take time. China which has expanded its nuclear capability in recent years can now launch new hypersonic missiles rapidly. China has around 350-400 weapons, of which only a few are deployed. Its launch time varies from 15-30 minutes. India: India's nuclear policy is based on 'no first use' and 'credible minimum deterrence'. India's weapons are not stored in a deployed state. India has about 172 nuclear weapons, mostly land and sea-based. India will need a minimum of 30 minutes to launch. Pakistan: Pakistan's nuclear strategy is focused on India. It has the capability to respond quickly. However, its weapons are not kept in deployed state. Pakistan has around 170 weapons, mainly ground-based.
Wales Online
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Wales Online
Vladimir Putin's 100-tonne Satan II 'world's most powerful' missile that sparked WW3 fears
Vladimir Putin's 100-tonne Satan II 'world's most powerful' missile that sparked WW3 fears The RS-28 Sarmat, also known as the 'Satan II', missile was announced by the Russian President in 2018 and has been described as the 'most powerful' nuclear weapon in the world, but it has a series of failed tests Vladimir Putin, the man at the helm of Russia (Image: Contributor, Getty Images ) Russian President Vladimir Putin triggered World War 3 concerns when he announced the world's most lethal nuclear weapon was under active trial seven years ago, generating a mixed international response. Dubbed Satan II, the RS-28 Sarmat missile was unveiled as a prime example of "next generation" warfare technology during the Russian leader's state-of-the-nation speech in 2018. It boasts unmatched capabilities, with the potential to deploy nuclear warheads worldwide, posing a significant menace to global superpowers such as the US, the UK, and Europe. Putin boasted that this formidable addition to Russia's military inventory would make other nations "think twice" about threatening Russia. Nonetheless, the Pentagon dismissed the notion that it poses any threat to the United States or its allies - but why such confidence? The RS-28 Sarmat missile has been described as the "next generation" of warfare technology (Image: Getty Images ) The missile's impressive specifications are intimidating: at 116 feet long and weighing a colossal 220 tons, its range is estimated to be between 10,000 to 18,000km, vastly overshadowing Russia's older intercontinental ballistic missile, the Voevoda (R-36). For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here Reports from Russian media indicate the RS-28 could transport as many as 16 independently targetable nuclear warheads, though speculations suggest the actual number might be lower, at 'up to 10 warheads', reports the Mirror US. Article continues below The Sarmat missile made its inaugural test flight on April 20, 2022, with the Russian Defence Ministry announcing: "At 15:12 Moscow time at the Plesetsk state test cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region, a Sarmat fixed-based [sic] intercontinental ballistic missile was successfully launched from a silo launcher." Shortly after this trial, it was revealed that 50 new Sarmat missiles would soon be ready for combat. However, this would be its only successful test. In February 2023, there were raised eyebrows when it seemed to leave a large crater on a launch site in Plesetsk in northern Russia - a fourth failure for the missile, if experts are to be believed, leaving significant doubts over the nuclear weapon. Matt Korda, an associate senior researcher at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), provided Euronews Next with a breakdown of the aptly nicknamed Satan II. He described it as "politically significant" for Putin and stated that despite its failures, "construction continues." "Russia has long planned to replace every single one of its Cold War-era delivery systems with newer versions," he said. "The RS-20V Voevoda is the last of these types of ICBMs left in its arsenal. As a result, the introduction of the Sarmat will be politically significant for President Putin, as the embodiment of Russia's completion of this long-awaited transition". Korda also mentioned that contrary to Russian reports, the new RS-28 is still yet to enter service. However, the status of the weapon remains uncertain. He elucidated: "Not only has serial production of the missile been delayed, but its testing cycle has been marred by a series of postponed and failed tests. "It is clear that Russia is proceeding with construction to facilitate the missile's deployment - satellite imagery indicates that major construction is well underway at the first regiment of the 62nd Missile Division in south Siberia, and will soon begin at other expected deployment sites." Moreover, Malcolm Chalmers, Deputy Director-General of the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), commented on Russia's nuclear capabilities, which already possess "already considerable destructive potential." Despite the increase in destructive power, he believes the new Russian rocket adds little to the existing threat. Speaking to the Telegraph, he remarked: "Russia and the Western nuclear states have had the ability to annihilate each other ever since they acquired strategic nuclear bombers, followed by intercontinental ballistic missiles, over 60 years ago. "Putin adding this new missile to his pre-existing 'overkill' capability makes absolutely no difference to the effectiveness of our Trident nuclear deterrent submarines." According to the Arms Control Association, Russia maintains 6,257 of the world's approximately 13,080 nuclear warheads. Article continues below In comparison, the US, which plans to upgrade one of its intercontinental ballistic missiles - the $100 billion LGM-35A Sentinel starting in 2029 - claims to have 5,550, while China, ranking third, reportedly possesses 350.
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Russia issues chilling nuclear WW3 threat to Brits – 'the time will come'
Major-General Nikolay Plotnikov was speaking on Russian state TV claiming that the success of Ukraine's missile and drone strikes was due to targeting data supplied by the UK Britain should be Russia's number one target if World War Three kicks off due to our success in thwarting Vladimir Putin 's invasion of Ukraine, a general has claimed. Reservist Major-General Nikolay Plotnikov was speaking on Russian state TV claiming that the success of Ukraine's missile and drone strikes was due to targeting data supplied by the UK. He claimed this intervention meant Brits were a legitimate target in any forthcoming war. Mr Plotnikov holds a succession of British prime ministers responsible for helping to stop Putin's bid to take over Ukraine - including Boris Johnson and Liz Truss, as well as Rishi Sunak and now Sir Keir Starmer. He even wants Russian law enforcement to open criminal cases against the British politicians. Tank commander general Plotnikov told Russian TV: 'The British are inputting data into [Ukraine's] missile control units. This tandem [Britain and France] is responsible for the massive drone strike on Russia on 7 May.' On that day, Russia claimed it had intercepted 524 drones, but others evidently evaded air defences and struck military targets. Russian sources claimed five Neptune missiles, six JDAM bombs and two HIMARS rockets were also downed. Mr Plotnikov added: 'That's why there are already so many criminal cases piling up against Macron and all the UK prime ministers. They should all be put in the dock. And Liz Truss. 'And that shaggy-haired….[Boris] Johnson and all the rest of them. Because what the British and French intelligence services and military are doing has caused a lot of damage to our people, a lot of people have died.' TV host and Putin's leading TV propagandist Vladimir Solovyov demanded a strike on Britain with Poseidon high speed atomic underwater drones - or Sarmat, the Satan-2, giant 208-ton intercontinental silo-launched 15,880mph nuclear weapon, the size of a 14-storey tower block. 'It will be possible to do that,' said the general. 'The time will come, I think the time will come, yes.' Mr Solovyov - whose propaganda themes are choreographed by the Kremlin which pays for his TV show - said he would deploy both Poseidon and Sarmat. The demands are the latest from Putin's deluded evangelists that Britain is to blame for their woes in a war where they have failed in the aim of fully invading Ukraine.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
What we know about UK's nuclear war deterrence after Russian propagandist made 'kill all British people' warning
The UK versus Russia drama continues, and this time, it's all about what our defence options are in light of a very serious comment being issued to us. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the possibility of World War 3 looms over our heads, and Vladimir Putin's regime have been flexing their power for a while now. From a simulation showing how a nuclear strike would 'sink' the entire country, to a 'leaked' list of nuclear targets in the UK, it would appear that the UK in particular is a special focus of the Russian propagandists - namely TV anchor Vladimir Solovyov. In the past, he's claimed that 'one Sarmat [missile] means minus one Great Britain' and said that any UK troops in Ukraine will 'all die', though he also directed that warning towards the French, too. And recently, he issued another one towards the UK, saying we'd 'certainly perish' for 'waging war against them', as Margarita Simonyan added: "We will kill them all." Now, while the threat is understandably scary, can it be done? Perhaps, but we do have a major weapon at our disposal in the UK. According to the Ministry of Defence's YouTube channel and the government's website, we have a significant nuclear deterrent that works, and works well. It's all thanks to the power of patrolling submarines. As per the website, the UK has at least one of its submarines out patrolling the seas undetected at all times of the day, every single day. These submarines are there to help to guarantee the nation's safety and as well as the UK's NATO Allies' safety by 'deterring the most extreme threats to our national security'. The gov site claims that while 'nuclear conflict remains remote', 'the threats the UK faces are increasing in scale, diversity and complexity' which is why we need to scare off any potential predators. 'The purpose of nuclear deterrence is to preserve peace, prevent coercion and deter aggression. Potential aggressors know that the costs of attacking the UK, or our NATO allies, could far outweigh any benefit they could hope to achieve." it continues. "This deters states from using their nuclear weapons against us or carrying out the most extreme threats to our national security.' To do this, in April 1969, the Royal Navy began to constantly patrol the sea with 'at least one nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarine' in a bid to 'preserve peace, prevent coercion, and deter aggression'. The continuous at sea deterrent (aka, CASD) is a cost-effective platform which can deploy the independent nuclear deterrent which can fire a missile within 'several days' notice'. Though the missile is not aimed at any state, it can surely blow something out of the water, or maybe even something flying above it. The current Prime Minister is the only person who can authorise the use of the nuclear weapons and he should only consider it as part of a self-defence strategy, which includes the defence of NATO allies. In a recent session at the Houses of Parliament, Lord Oates asked whether the government had considered what it was giving to secure the full independence of the deterrent, to which Lord Coaker replied (via UK Defence Journal): "I can assure the noble Lord that the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent is completely operationally independent. "Only the Prime Minister can authorise the firing of our nuclear weapons, even if they are to be employed as part of a NATO response."
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Russian propagandist escalates WW3 tensions with nuclear warning to 'kill all British people'
The Russians really seem to have a bee in their bonnet about the UK, as one of their propagandists has been directing some particularly threatening comments at good old Blighty. Under Vladimir Putin's regime the propaganda machine in Russia is cranking out lots of content to make sure the brutal dictator's take on things is getting out there among the public. It's a common thing for such regimes to flood the airwaves with 'their truth' so it becomes all that people hear, and Putin has plenty of lapdogs to do his barking for him. Natalya Sindeyeva, co-founder of an independent Russian TV channel that was shut down over their coverage of the invasion of Ukraine, previously warned that most Russians believe Putin's propaganda. Putin has his cronies go on Russian TV to parrot his lines and boast about how all it would take is a few missiles to wipe out Europe in about 200 seconds. Chief on their list of targets is the UK, and one of Putin's main mouthpieces in this regard is a man called Vladimir Solovyov. He's a pro-Kremlin TV anchor in Russia who in the past has claimed 'one Sarmat [missile] means minus one Great Britain', as he spoke of how Russia could nuke the UK, describing Britain as 'totally boorish' for supplying Ukraine with weapons to fight the Russian invasion. He also recently said that any UK troops who step foot in Ukraine 'will all die', adding that his threat extends to 'the French too'. That seems to be a response to British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying he was 'ready and willing' to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine to provide security guarantees in the event of a ceasefire, and French President Emmanuel Macron signing up to the plan. So, it's safe to say Solovyov has a habit of talking about killing Brits, and now he's coughed up another warning. On his TV show he claimed that the UK and US were 'directly waging war against us', and launched into a rant about 'consequences' the countries would face. He said: "You don't understand the main thing. We see right through your coalition of peacemakers, who are not peacemakers but basically interventionists, will be destroyed. "You have to realise that not only the frontline units you're planning to deploy on the territory of Ukraine will be destroyed, but since we can't perceive it in any other way other than the direct participation of your countries, you will feel the consequences, the likes of which you have never seen." His guest on the show, Margarita Simonyan, RT's editor-in-chief, chimed in to say: "It's not that they may perish. They will certainly perish. We will kill them all." Big talk from a country that's three years into their three day invasion of Ukraine and has only managed to take about 20 percent of it.
