Russia suffers 'catastrophic failure' in weapons test as Zelensky hints end of war is near
Russia suffers 'catastrophic failure' in weapons test as Zelenskky hints end of war is near
Reuters
Russia has suffered a “catastrophic failure” whilst testing a key weapon, as Zelensky hints that the war could be coming to an end soon.
Putin was testing the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile – known in the west as Satan II – when it blew up in its silo.
Satellite images show a crater about 60 metres wide at the site at Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. Pictures taken earlier in the month show no damage to the silo.
Timothy Wright, research associate at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London, said the destruction of the surrounding area was suggestive of a failure soon after ignition.
Russia suffers 'catastrophic failure' in weapons test as Zelensky hints end of war is nearReuters“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 said.
The missile, which is designed to hit targets thousands of miles away, was first unveiled in 2018 and Russia said they conducted its first successful test launch in 2022.
However, its production had been marred by delays and September’s failed test launch, its fourth one, will push back the weapon even further.
“This is the fourth successive test failure of Sarmat which at the very least will push back its already delayed introduction into service even further and at most might raise questions about the programme’s viability,” Wright said.
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Putin was testing the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile – known in the west as Satan II – when it blew up in its silo
ReutersThe failure comes as Ukraine continues to make progress in its counter-offensive against Russia, with Zelensky hinting that the end of the war is in sight.
Speaking to ABC News, the president said: “The plan of victory is strengthening Ukraine; that's why we're asking our friends, our allies, to strengthen us. It's very important.
Zelensky added: “I think that we are closer to peace than we think. We are closer to the end of the war. We just have to be very strong, very strong.”
He urged Washington and other nations to not waver in their support of Kyiv.
The Ukrainian president is in America for the UN General Assembly, and later in the week, he will travel to the capital to present his “victory plan” to President Joe Biden, as well as Kamala Harris and Trump
Zelensky is currently in the US to attend the UN General Assembly,
Reuters
His plan is expected to have four key points; a mutual defence pact similar to Nato membership, support for his raid in Kursk, permission to use Western long-range missiles, and financial aid to boost Ukraine's diminished economy.
However, Zelensky has said very little about his plan, except that it would serve as a “bridge” to a second Ukraine-led peace summit with Russia in attendance. Moscow has rejected the invite.
He has said that Ukraine must be in a “strong position” to be able convince Putin to “stop the war”.
The Russian president has said that peace talks can only commence if Zelensky leaves large areas of southern Ukraine in Russia’s domain, and gives up on its hopes of gaining entry to Nato.