News Analysis

July 27, 2026

A test of the Sarmat missile on May 12.

Russian Defense Ministry

On May 12, Moscow announced that its flagship RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile would be put on combat duty by the end of the year. It had already been declared ready for combat duty once before — in September 2023. And before that, President Vladimir Putin said it would be ready by the end of 2022.