Russia Fails Nuclear Missile Test, Satellite Images Reveal

On September 20, Russia attempted another test of its RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, which reportedly ended in failure. The missile, touted by Russia as a key component of its strategic deterrent, exploded in its launch silo, leaving a massive crater and causing significant damage to the test site, according to OSINT analyst MeNMyRC. This marks the fourth unsuccessful test of the Sarmat missile, which Russia previously claimed had been placed on combat alert.

Satellite imagery from Planet Labs, shared by MeNMyRC, indicates that the explosion likely occurred during the fueling process. The RS-28 is a liquid-fueled missile, which could explain why the failure occurred before launch. The absence of activity from the NATO reconnaissance unit “Cobra Ball” on the day of the test supports the theory that the explosion happened prior to any launch sequence.

The missile’s failure, captured on satellite imagery, is the latest in a series of setbacks for Russia’s strategic missile program. The first and only successful test of the RS-28 Sarmat took place in April 2022. Since then, Russia has encountered repeated difficulties, with four unsuccessful tests to date.

In a separate development, recent reports indicate that U.S. analysts have identified the potential location of a new Russian missile, the nuclear-powered SSC-X-9 Skyfall (NATO designation), near Vologda, approximately 475 km north of Moscow. Satellite analysis shows the construction of nine horizontal launch pads in proximity to a storage facility for nuclear warheads.