Putin Left Embarrassed as 'Satan II' Nuclear Missile Fails for the Fourth Time

Russia's desire to develop its nuclear strength is not a secret from the world. For a while now, the country's scientists have been developing, what is being called "Satan II," IFL Science reported. To this date, they have possibly conducted four tests on the nuclear weapon, but reportedly all of them have failed.

"Satan II" has been described as a superweapon capable of causing mass destruction, IFL Science reported. It is allegedly a liquid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile being developed by Russians as a replacement for the Soviet-era SS-18.

In October 2023, Russian President, Vladimir Putin, shared with the world, that work on this superweapon was almost finished, and he envisioned the missile as a key element in his country's nuclear strategy. 

"Satan II" went through a test run on February 2023, the New York Post reported. U.S. authorities were informed in advance regarding the launch. It was believed the superweapon, which is purported to carry 15 nuclear warheads failed during the test as Putin did not disclose it in his following address.

The fourth test was allegedly conducted recently at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia, IFL Science reported. Though no official statement has arrived regarding the success or failure of the missile, satellite images taken by Maxar Technologies have reportedly revealed the entire story. The images captured in September feature a crater around 60 meters (200 feet) wide in the area, that wasn't present there before.

Experts believe that the test failed because a successful outcome would not have left a big crater, IFL Science reported. "By all indications, it was a failed test. It’s a big hole in the ground," Pavel Podvig, an analyst based in Geneva, who runs the Russian Nuclear Forces project shared. "There was a serious incident with the missile and the silo." As per reports, the superweapon was supposed to have the ability to traverse thousands of kilometers, but recent images suggest that it is nowhere near reaching that goal. 

Putin has repeatedly warned that any attack against Russia will be met with nuclear resistance, BBC reported. He has also threatened to change his country's nuclear doctrine, which would make it easier for his government to launch nuclear weapons.