Ukraine-Russia war live: Moscow suffers ‘catastrophic failure’ after firing ballistic missile named ‘Satan II’
Volodymyr Zelensky again urges West to allow Ukraine to strike Russian territory with long-range missiles
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Russia appears to have suffered a "catastrophic failure" in a test of its Sarmat missile, a key weapon in the modernisation of its nuclear arsenal, according to arms experts who have analysed satellite images of the launch site.
The images captured by Maxar on 21 September show a crater about 60 metres wide at the launch silo at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. They reveal extensive damage that was not visible in pictures taken earlier in the month.
The RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, known in the West as Satan II, is designed to deliver nuclear warheads to strike targets thousands of miles away in the United States or Europe, but its development has been dogged by delays and testing setbacks.
Timothy Wright, research associate at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London, said the destruction of the area immediately surrounding the missile silo was suggestive of a failure soon after ignition.
"One possible cause is that the first stage (booster) either failed to ignite properly or suffered from a catastrophic mechanical failure, causing the missile to fall back into or land closely adjacent to the silo and explode," he told Reuters.
Mapped: Ukraine’s incursion into the Russian Kursk region explained
Mapped: Ukraine’s incursion into the Russian Kursk region explained
Ukraine’s attack into Kursk has left Vladimir Putin’s forces scrambling
Ukraine bans Telegram messenger app on state-issued devices because of Russian security threat
Ukraine bans Telegram messenger app on state-issued devices because of Russian security threat
Ukraine has banned government officials, military personnel and other defense and critical infrastructure workers from installing the popular Telegram messaging app on state-issued devices
Watch: Russian arms depot ablaze after massive Ukrainian drone attack
Arms depot ablaze deep inside Russia after massive Ukrainian drone attack
An arms depot in Russia’s south-western region of Krasnodar appeared to have been hit in a massive Ukrainian drone attack overnight on Friday 20 September, as verified footage on social media showed explosions at the scene. Other attacks were also reported in occupied Crimea and the Tver region, northwest of Moscow, and Russia’s defence ministry said its forces had shot down more than 100 drones. More than 1,000 people have been evacuated from Krasnodar after Ukraine launched the drones over the border.
Takeaways from AP's report on warning signs about suspect in apparent Trump assassination attempt
Takeaways from AP's report on warning signs about suspect in apparent Trump assassination attempt
Chelsea Walsh was in Kyiv as a nurse and aid worker in the early days of the war in Ukraine
At the UN, world leaders try to lay out a vision for the future — and actually make it happen
At the UN, world leaders try to lay out a vision for the future — and actually make it happen
The U.N. General Assembly adopted a “Pact for the Future” to meet the challenges of the 21st century
Putin’s forces are desperate for a prize eastern city and Ukraine will fight street-to-street to keep them out
Ukraine will fight street-to-street to keep Russia out of key eastern city
The Russians taking Pokrovsk would split Ukraine’s defensive line in the region and harm supplies in the eastern part of Donetsk, now facing contstant bombing, Askold Krushelnycky speaks to soldiers and residents in Pokrovsk about the the drawn-out siege they are bracing themselves for
Mapped: Ukraine’s incursion into the Russian Kursk region explained
Mapped: Ukraine’s incursion into the Russian Kursk region explained
Ukraine’s attack into Kursk has left Vladimir Putin’s forces scrambling
Photos from the frontline
Over 20 people wounded after Russia strikes apartment blocks in Ukraine’s Kharkiv
Over 20 people wounded after Russia strikes apartment blocks in Ukraine’s Kharkiv
Russian strikes have hit high-rise apartment blocks in Ukraine’s Kharkiv, leaving dozens wounded in a second consecutive nighttime attack this week
Ukraine accuses Russia of seeking to illegally control strategic sea as arbitration hearings open
Ukraine accuses Russia of seeking to illegally control strategic sea as arbitration hearings open
Ukraine has accused Russia of seeking to illegally seize control of the strategically important Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments