World
February 11, 2025 11:33
russia - Vladimir Putin's hopes on the 'most powerful nuclear missile system ever' called Satan 2 face major setbacks with top developer fired.
Putin's Ambitious Project
Vladimir Putin pinned his hopes on developing the 'most powerful nuclear missile system ever,' the Satan 2 missile. Designed to carry ten warheads over 18,000 kilometers, it posed a significant threat to the West by flying over the poles, making it difficult to intercept.
The colossal missile, standing fourteen floors tall, had the capability to carry a massive nuclear warhead, with Russian propagandists boasting that it could wipe out cities like London.
Initial reports from Roscosmos, the Russian space agency in charge of the project, seemed promising to Putin. A year ago, he proudly announced that the Satan 2 was in production and deployed in the field.
Setbacks and Failures
Despite the high expectations, the practical execution of the project faced numerous challenges. Test flights of the RS-28 missile ended in failure, with issues related to fuel and components quality causing repeated crashes.
Global sanctions forced Russia to settle for subpar materials, resulting in the repeated crashes of the Satan 2 missile. The recent failed launch led to the immediate removal of project head Yury Borisov, causing a significant blow to Putin's prestige.
Future Uncertainty
Following Borisov's dismissal, uncertainties loom over his future, with reports suggesting potential fraud charges from his time as deputy defense minister. The Kremlin cited a 'job rotation' for Borisov's removal, signaling dissatisfaction with his performance.
Despite setbacks, Putin remains determined to pursue the Satan 2 project, appointing Dmitry Bakanov as the new lead. Bakanov, an expert in satellites and unmanned vehicles, aims to revive the missile project and other failed initiatives under Borisov's tenure.