A massive nuclear missile dubbed "Satan 2" could destroy the United Kingdom in seconds, a Russian state TV host has said.
The Satan 2, technically an RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, weighs 20 tons and has a range of 11,000 miles. It travels at hypersonic speeds of 16,000mph and can be armed with up to 15 nuclear warheads, the Express reports.
In a threatening remark, presenter Vladimir Solovyov declared that “one Sarmat means minus one Great Britain". Launching from silos in Russia, the missile could strike London in just 200 seconds. Paris would be hit in 210 seconds, while Finland and Sweden - which have recently applied to join NATO - would be eliminated in 15 seconds.
The weaponry has become more menacing in light of recent comments from Russia’s defence committee deputy chairman, Aleksey Zhuravlyov, who warned if Finland wanted to join NATO, then Russia would "question the existence of this state".
"This is logical," he added. Mr Zhuravlyov also warned that the United States could be struck in 14 minutes. “If the United States threatens our state, it’s good: here is the Sarmat for you, and there will be nuclear ashes from you if you think that Russia should not exist," he said. “And Finland says that it is at one with the USA. Well, get in line.”
Russian President Vladamir Putin called the Satan 2 a "truly unique weapon" that will "reliably ensure Russia's security from external threats and provide food for thought for those who, in the heat of frenzied aggressive rhetoric, try to threaten our country".
Ian Williams, a fellow at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies think tank said the Satan 2 was "probably the most destructive single weapon on earth". Speaking to The Telegraph, he added: “It could destroy 10 cities with one missile" as the warheads it carries can be "independently targeted".
Julian Lewis, the chairman of Parliament's intelligence and security committee, said: “Russia and the Western nuclear states have had the ability to annihilate each other ever since they acquired strategic nuclear bombers, followed by intercontinental ballistic missiles, over 60 years ago.
“Putin adding this new missile to his pre-existing 'overkill' capability makes absolutely no difference to the effectiveness of our Trident nuclear deterrent submarines."
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