PUTIN'S FLYING DAGGER
Moment Russia tests hypersonic nuke designed to hit precise targets in the West
VLADIMIR Putin's nuclear-capable hypersonic missile has been successfully tested by the Russian military, the country's defence ministry said today.
The high-speed Kinzhal (Dagger) rocket - described by the Russian strongman "an ideal weapon" - can fly at almost 7,700mph across 1,250 miles and hit precise targets.
13
It was launched from a MiG-31 supersonic interceptor jet that took off from an airfield in the South military District of Russia's southwest.
The ministry released a video showing the large warhead detach from a jet an enter freefall.
Patriotic music blares in the background of the clip as the missile suddenly blasts through the sky, leaving behind a fiery trail.
The newly developed missile was one of several showcased by belligerent president Putin in his state of the nation address in Moscow, including an "unstoppable" warhead with practically "unlimited" range.
13
The Russian leader threatened to unleash a "global catastrophe" if a third world war broke out and threatened his country.
He said the Kinzhal flies at ten times the speed of sound and can overcome air defence systems.
It was tested with more than 250 flights, in all weather conditions, since the start of the year.
Other new missiles include a nuclear-powered cruise missile, a nuclear-powered underwater drone and new hypersonic missile which apparently have no equivalent.
13
Footage shown during his speech apparently showed the new "unstoppable" missile heading toward the United States as he promises to "neutralise" America's missile defence.
"Russia remained a nuclear power but no one wanted to listen to us," Putin, 65, told lawmakers. "Listen to us now."
He said the hypersonic intercontinental rocket, known as the Avangard, is capable of travelling 20 times the speed of sound and strike "like a meteorite, like a fireball".
"It's like a fireball guided to its target," said Putin, who also announced Russia was working on laser weapons systems.
13
13
Vladimir Putin reveals new Russian intercontinental 'Avangard' winged missile in state of the union address in Moscow
Here are Putin's most explosive claims from today's speech
- Vladimir Putin has raised fears of a nuclear arms race in the 21st century
- He unveiled new, hypersonic nuclear weapons which have no equal
- The most frightening weapon he alluded to was a nuclear-powered ICBM missile
- Putin said it can travel 20 times the speed of sound and strike "like a meteorite"
- He said the Avangard also has "unlimited range" and "cannot be intercepted"
- Putin also announced a nuclear-powered underwater drone and cruise missile
- The Russian leader emphasised the weapons have no equivalent in the West
- Putin vowed to wage nuclear war on the United States if Trump attacked first
- "We aren't threatening anyone... we aren't going to take anything from anyone," he said
13
Vladimir Putin boasts of Russia's unstoppable nuclear weapons, as he addresses US military threat
The Russian leader, who has been in power since May 2012, said the missile's appearance is being kept under wraps.
Putin also announced a web contest to name a new, high-speed underwater drone which carries nuclear warheads and can destroy aircraft carriers and coastal facilities.
The Russian military has dubbed the shadowy vessels autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), allegedly capable of deploying missiles with a power of 100-megatons.
Vladimir Putin unveils a high-speed underwater drone which carries nuclear warheads and can destroy aircraft carriers and coastal facilities
13
Putin said the new weapons make NATO's US-led missile defence "useless", effectively ending Western efforts to "contain" Russia.
He said: "I want to tell all those who have fuelled the arms race over the last 15 years, sought to win unilateral advantages over Russia, introduced unlawful sanctions.
"All you wanted to impede with your policies have already happened... You have failed to contain Russia."
Putin sensationally vowed to wage nuclear war on the United States if they attacked Russia, branding Donald Trump's new nuclear doctrine "worrying".
13
13
The Kremlin strongman said that if Russia was attacked with nukes then he would not hesitate to launch his nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, .
The country successfully launched its massive Satan Two nuclear missile, a 100-tonne rocket capable of wiping out the UK, in October.
The colossal weapon which can carry 12 warheads at once travelled 3,600 miles towards a ballistic missile test landing site in far-east Russia.
The missile, also known as RS-28 Sarmat, has a range of 6,000 miles and was fired on Thursday night from Plestek Cosmodrome in Oblast, 880km north of Moscow.
13
13
Russias RS-28 Sarmat ICBM Satan 2 missile could wipe out Texas or France'
13
The Russian news outlet Sputnik reported in May that an RS-28 rocket is "capable of wiping out parts of the Earth the size of France or Texas".
On that basis it has been reported that the weapon could "wipe out an area the size of England and Wales twice over";.
It is unconfirmed where exactly the Satan 2s will be kept but they could easily reach the UK if fired from the east coast of Russia.
The Russian ministry said they had "carried out an exercise to manage its strategic nuclear forces."
13
Russian leader Vladimir Putin unveils ambitious nuclear missile programme
Putin today claimed Moscow's operation in Syria showed Russia's increased capabilities in the defence sector.
Putin told lawmakers the nation had restored its domestic air defence systems.
The strongman also vowed to cut the "unacceptable" poverty rate in half over the next six years, in a state of the nation address on Thursday.
Read the latest on the Russian president
"[We should] at least halve the poverty rate in the next six years," Putin said, adding that 20 million Russians currently live below the poverty line compared to 42 million in 2000.
The Russian leader used the address to outline policy for a widely anticipated new six-year term in the Kremlin following March 18 presidential elections.
Putin, who has led the country for the last 18 years, focused on domestic issues in the speech, saying that the coming years will be "decisive" for Russia.
These are the best countries on Earth to live in if you want to survive World War Three
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at [email protected] or call 0207 782 4368 . We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.
Topics