A highly anticipated test of the Russian nuclear-capable Sarmat RS-28 missile, famously known as "Satan-2," ended in failure for the fourth time on Saturday. The catastrophic incident took place at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome, located 500 miles north of Moscow, where the missile exploded during refuelling, leaving a significant crater at the launchpad. Satellite images captured the extent of the damage caused by the failed launch, showing visible destruction to nearby infrastructure.

According to MeNMyRC, an open-source investigation project, the missile detonated within the silo, resulting in the destruction of the test site and leaving a massive crater. Additionally, evidence suggested that the failed launch potentially triggered a forest fire, as four fire engines were observed at the scene responding to the aftermath of the explosion. The Sarmat RS-28 missile, a liquid-fuelled weapon system, faced challenges separate from the actual launch activity, leading to the devastating accident.

This incident unfolded just a week after a member of Vladimir Putin's security council issued a chilling warning regarding the missile's capabilities. Vyacheslav Volodin highlighted the alarming speed at which the Sarmat missile could reach the European Parliament in Strasbourg, emphasizing its potential threat. While the Kremlin has refrained from making any comments on the failed launch, Pavel Podvig, a senior researcher at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Studies, expressed concerns about the unsuccessful test, noting the significant impact it had caused.