Putin Orders Satan II Ready for Nuclear Deployment: What You Need to Know

President Vladimir Putin has reportedly directed that Russia’s Satan II missiles be prepared for potential nuclear combat, escalating tensions in the ongoing war with Ukraine. According to multiple sources citing Russian state media, Putin has ordered the readiness of the Satan II missiles “as soon as possible.”

This directive follows Ukraine’s use of U.S.-made ATACMS missiles on November 25 and U.K.-supplied Storm Shadow missiles a few days later. In retaliation, Russia launched an experimental missile strike against Ukraine.

The ATACMS missiles are supersonic tactical ballistic weapons, while the Storm Shadow is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile developed by France and the U.K. designed to evade detection.

The Satan II, also known as the RS-28 Sarmat, is a massive intercontinental ballistic missile capable of carrying nuclear warheads over vast distances, potentially reaching targets in the U.S. or Europe. The missile, named after the ancient Sarmatian people who fought against Attila the Hun, is capable of traveling thousands of kilometers.

The nickname “Satan II” was coined by Western media, reflecting its immense power and destructive potential. The three-stage missile is launched from silos and is powered by liquid fuel. However, a significant setback occurred in September when one of these missiles exploded during a test.

Putin’s reported order to expedite the deployment of the Satan II missile comes as a response to Ukraine’s use of ATACMS on its territory. Western media has also speculated that U.S. President Joe Biden might authorize the transfer of nuclear weapons to Ukraine before his term ends in January 2025. In response, Russia’s foreign ministry has warned that such a move would be “insane” and could lead to catastrophic consequences.