Russia tests Sarmat (also known as Satan II) missile and Vladimir Putin reports, ‘This is the most powerful missile in the world’

Congratulations to all Russia’s western “friends” on the successful test of the Sarmat strategic missile system. Now we’re all so much closer! pic.twitter.com/6xcBLIXQCO

— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) May 13, 2026

COGwriter

Russia released a photograph of its Sarmat missile test. A decade ago, this missile was dubbed as ‘Satan 2’ by NATO:

Putin hails Russia’s test launch of a new ballistic missile

May 13, 2026

MOSCOW — Russia on Tuesday test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile as part of efforts to modernize the country’s nuclear forces, a launch hailed by President Vladimir Putin …

Putin said that the nuclear-armed Sarmat missile would enter combat service at the end of the year. It was built to replace the aging Soviet-built Voyevoda.

“This is the most powerful missile in the world,” Putin declared, adding that the combined power of the Sarmat’s individually targeted warheads is more than four times higher than that of any Western counterpart. …

Since coming to power in 2000, Putin has overseen efforts to upgrade the Soviet-built components of the Russian nuclear triad — deploying hundreds of new, land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, commissioning new nuclear submarines and modernizing nuclear-capable bombers. …

The Sarmat — designated “Satan II” in the West — is meant to replace about 40 Soviet-built Voyevoda missiles. Its development began in 2011 and before Tuesday, the missile had only one known successful test and reportedly suffered a massive explosion during an abortive test in 2024. …

Putin said Tuesday that the Sarmat — part of a slew of new weapons that Putin revealed in 2018, claiming they would render any prospective U.S. missile defenses useless — is as powerful as the Voyevoda but with a higher precision. It is capable of suborbital flight, he said, giving it a range of more than 35,000 kilometers (21,700 miles) and an extended capability to penetrate any prospective missile defenses.

Moscow’s new weapons include the Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle, capable of flying 27 times faster than the speed of sound. The first vehicles have already entered service. https://www.npr.org/2026/05/13/g-s1-121801/russias-new-ballistic-missile

The Russian military has successfully test-fired the advanced RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, the commander of the Strategic Missile Troops, General Sergey Karakaev, has reported to President Vladimir Putin. The development would allow the military to equip the first missile regiment with the new weapon systems by the end of the year, Karakaev said.

The liquid-fueled heavy RS-28 Sarmat is designed to replace the world’s most powerful silo-based missile, the RS-20V Voevoda (SS-18 Satan according to NATO classification). It is believed to be to be able to carry up to ten heavy warheads with multiple re-entry capability.

According to Karakaev, the new missile system demonstrated capabilities exceeding those of its predecessor, primarily in terms of its range and payload. Its onboard systems also allow it to “securely penetrate the existing and emerging missile defense systems,” the general said.

Putin congratulated the military on the successful test, calling Sarmat “the most powerful missile system in the world.” According to the president, it is capable of delivering a payload four times bigger than that of any Western missile. It also has a range of over 35,000 kilometers and is twice as precise as its predecessor, he added. 05/12/26 https://www.rt.com/russia/639897-russia-test-icbm-sarmat/

Originally, ‘Satan 2’ was expected to be ‘operational’ in 2018 according to one source, then later according to other sources. Here is a report from 2016:

October 29, 2016

Russia has put us on notice with news that its RS-28 Sarmat thermonuclear-armed ballistic missile system, dubbed Satan 2, will come into service in 2018.

The monster rocket is said to be 2000 times stronger than bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki and capable of destroying a country the size of “France or Texas”. …

The RS-28 Sarmat thermonuclear-armed ballistic missile was commissioned in 2011 and is expected to come into service in 2018.

It has been dubbed “Satan 2”, as it will replace the RS-36M, the 1970s-era weapon referred to by NATO as the Satan missile. …

Russia reportedly tested a hypersonic warhead in April that is apparently intended for use on the Satan 2 missiles.

Terrifyingly, the warhead is designed to be impossible to intercept because it does not move on a set trajectory. http://www.news.com.au/world/from-super-nukes-to-sniper-guns-the-worlds-deadliest-weapons/news-story/86acb827efb90e8610527358d9d23d29

Now, as I wrote back in 2016, unless the Russians give/sell one of these missiles to the Europeans, I do not believe it will ever be used to destroy Texas.

Yet, it is possible that something like this could be used one day to eliminate parts of Europe, such as France (see also The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben: France in Prophecy?).

Back in 2016, the Continuing Church of God put out the following video on our Bible News Prophecy YouTube channel:

Will Russia’s ‘Satan 2’ destroy Texas or France?

While various ones believe that Russia is a major military threat to the USA and will launch a massive attack against the USA, this was not the view of the old Radio/Worldwide Church of God.

Notice something from the late Hebert Armstrong decades ago, during the time of the old Soviet Union, titled Why Russia Will Not Attack the United States:

For decades now, the prospect of war between Russia and the United States has continually heightened and lessened.

Many who claim to be authorities on prophecy assure people a war involving Russia and the United States, Canada and England is prophesied in Ezekiel 38.

The United States, Britain and other democracies of north-western Europe, they recognize, are nations descended from the lost Ten Tribes. Therefore, they conclude, the prophecy of Ezekiel 38 foretells a military invasion of the North American continent from the Soviet Union. But this is not what prophecy says…

But this very fact – that this invasion will not come until after the Second Coming of Christ – will seem preposterous to many, at first thought.

That is because we have been accustomed merely to assume things that are not true. We have blindly assumed that when Christ comes, there will be no opposition. Every person and power on earth, we have thought, will simply submit meekly and instantly to him and his power. But that is not true!

Some gentile nations understandably shall not submit until forced to. The final restoration of the Roman Empire shall be subdued and conquered at a battle commonly called “Armageddon.” But the populous nations of Eurasia that the Almighty God up to this point has not dealt with shall still have to be brought to submission.

“Gog” Identified“Gog in the land of “Magog” is the vast regions of the U.S.S.R. in northern Eurasia extending from the Baltic to the Pacific. “Meshech” is Moscow, “Tubal” is Tobol’sk.

Notice the allies who come with them in this future battle. You will find “Gomer” “Togarmah,” “Magog,” “Meshech” “Tubal” identified in Genesis 10 as the sons of Japheth, father of the Eurasians. Ethiopia and Phut (mistranslated Libya) are descended from Ham.

Therefore, this prophecy of Ezekiel 38 shows who shall finally succeed in marshaling peoples of each major race into a gigantic invasion upon our people.

When God begins to rule the world, through Christ – with His chosen people restored to prosperity in the land of Israel, the very center of the land surface of the earth (verse 12, Moffatt translation) – this, great Eurasian union of nations shall finally be tempted to use their mighty air force. (Armstrong HW. Why Russia Will Not Attack the United States, article).

Some Bible scholars assert falsely that these prophecies of Ezekiel were fulfilled anciently. They never were. Others believe they are about to occur but some years before Armageddon. Both views are erroneous. The events of Ezekiel 38 and 39 are without question still future – for the “latter days” (38: 16) and “latter years” (38:8). Moreover, Ezekiel 38:14 describes the time setting as being “in that day when my people of Israel dwelleth safely.” This is certainly not the situation in the State of Israel to- day! The Israel described by Ezekiel is a nation that dwells in security, in unwalled villages, totally unprepared for war (38:8, 11, 14). Read it for yourself! (Why Russia Will Not Attack the United States. WCG booklet)

Ezekiel 38 is for the distant future–and right at/after the millennium (cf. Revelation 20:7-9; see also Ezekiel 38: For Russia & Iran in Our Day?; a related video is also available titled Ezekiel 38: For Russia, Ukraine, & Iran Now?). But that does not mean that there cannot be military conflict between the USA and Russia now (and there may be some).

But what about massive destruction with ties to Russia?

That will come. Europe will one day be hit. But this is at least seven years away.

But steps are aligning for that to happen now.

There is currently a growing, Russian-led military confederation called CSTO. And more nations are likely to support Russia in the future. Here is one prophecy about a confederation that goes against end time Babylon:

27 Set up a banner in the land, Blow the trumpet among the nations! Prepare the nations against her, Call the kingdoms together against her: Ararat, Minni, and Ashkenaz. Appoint a general against her; Cause the horses to come up like the bristling locusts. 28 Prepare against her the nations, With the kings of the Medes, Its governors and all its rulers, All the land of his dominion. 29 And the land will tremble and sorrow; For every purpose of the Lord shall be performed against Babylon, To make the land of Babylon a desolation without inhabitant. (Jeremiah 51:27-29)

Herbert Armstrong commented that the confederation is associated with the 200 million-man army–which means also that it will include nations not currently confederate with Russia in CSTO (like apparently the Chinese and other Asians):

The second woe, with its symbols of horses and horsemen…and is also referred to as an event in the Day OF THE Eternal in Joel 2:4. This refers to a tremendous military power–also to the NORTH–due north! They come with an army of two hundred million! Think of it–an army of two hundred million! (Armstrong HW. The Book of Revelation Unveiled at Last! 1972 edition. p. 38-39).

Notice something else from Joel that is related to this:

6 Before them the people writhe in pain;
All faces are drained of color. (Joel 2:6)

20 “But I will remove far from you the northern army,
And will drive him away into a barren and desolate land,
With his face toward the eastern sea
And his back toward the western sea;
His stench will come up,
And his foul odor will rise,
Because he has done monstrous things.” (Joel 2:20)

This is related because the northern, King of the North army of Europe, will be facing forces from the east–these would be forces most likely led by Russia.

Also the Hebrew word translated “writhe in pain” in Joel 2:6 is the same basic word used in Jeremiah 51:29 and translated as “and sorrow.” This also seems to tie all this together.

The Bible shows that the leader of the final Babylonian European Empire will be called “the King of the North” and that he will be troubled by those from the north (Russia) and the east (China and other Asians):

40 …the king of the North… 43 He shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt; also the Libyans and Ethiopians shall follow at his heels. 44 But news from the east and the north shall trouble him; therefore he shall go out with great fury to destroy and annihilate many. 45 And he shall plant the tents of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain; yet he shall come to his end, and no one will help him (Dan 11:40,43-45).

This fulfillment of Daniel 11:44 is likely to occur about 3 1/2 years after the Great Tribulation begins. Also note that this seems consistent with something Jeremiah foretold:

41 “Behold, a people shall come from the north,
And a great nation and many kings
Shall be raised up from the ends of the earth.
42 They shall hold the bow and the lance;
They are cruel and shall not show mercy.
Their voice shall roar like the sea;
They shall ride on horses,
Set in array, like a man for the battle,
Against you, O daughter of Babylon.

43 “The king of Babylon has heard the report about them,
And his hands grow feeble;
Anguish has taken hold of him,
Pangs as of a woman in childbirth…”(Jeremiah 50:41-43).

Thus, the European empire (the “daughter of Babylon”) is to be destroyed by a northern (apparently Russian led) force.

Missile shields will not provide the type of protection that Europe will one day need. Perhaps ‘Satan 2’ or something similar will be used by Russia (ground troops from Asia will be a factor).

Let me also add that Russia is also part of the BRICS+ alliance as well as the lead power in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). That latter group just officially accepted a trade deal with Indonesia:

Russian State Duma Ratifies Free Trade Agreement Between EAEU, Indonesia

13 May 2026
The Russian State Duma has adopted on Wednesday a law on the ratification of the free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and Indonesia.

The agreement was signed on December 21, 2025 on the sidelines of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in St. Petersburg. It is aimed at deepening the economic partnership between the EAEU and Indonesia. The Eurasian Economic Union now includes Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

The agreement establishes a preferential trade regime for the vast majority of goods, covering more than 98% of the bilateral trade between Indonesia and Russia, Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin explained in April. https://sputnikglobe.com/20260513/russian-state-duma-ratifies-free-trade-agreement-between-eaeu-indonesia-1124120285.htmlE

Russia expanding trade ties has long been predicted here as the result of sanctions and other policies of the West (e.g. watch US Sanctions and Tariffs leading to New World Order?).

Certain Protestant prophecy watchers suspect that now with the involvement of Russia in the Middle East and the US-Israel Iran war going on that WWIII is about to start.

That is NOT the case.

However, what is happening is that the Europeans are getting a wake-up call that they have to develop their own military–and the Bible shows that they will (Revelation 13:4; Daniel 11:39-43).

Yet, this will not turn out well for the USA (Daniel 11:39), the Middle East/North Africa (Daniel 11:40-43), nor Europe itself (Daniel 11:44; Revelation 18).

Some items of possibly related interest may include:

Is Russia the King of the North? Some claim it is. But what does the Bible teach? Here is a link to a video, also titled Is Russia the King of the North?
Russia and Ukraine: Their Origins and Prophesied Future Russia in prophecy. Where do the Russians come from? What about those in the Ukraine? What is prophesied for Russia and its allies? What will they do to the Europeans that supported the Beast in the end? There is also a video sermon available: Russia in the Bible and in Prophecy as are two video sermonettes Russia, Ukraine, Babylonian Europe, and Prophecy and Ukraine in Prophecy?
The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben: France in Prophecy? What is the origin of this in France? What is prophesied to happen to them? A two-part sermon related to history and prophecy is available online: The ‘Lost Tribe’ of Reuben and France and Prophecy.
Europa, the Beast, and Revelation Where did Europe get its name? What might Europe have to do with the Book of Revelation? What about “the Beast”? Is an emerging European power “the daughter of Babylon”? What is ahead for Europe? Here is are links to related videos: European history and the Bible, Europe In Prophecy, The End of European Babylon, and Can You Prove that the Beast to Come is European? Here is a link to a related sermon in the Spanish language: El Fin de la Babilonia Europea.
Lost Tribes and Prophecies: What will happen to Australia, the British Isles, Canada, Europe, New Zealand and the United States of America? Where did those people come from? Can you totally rely on DNA? Do you really know what will happen to Europe and the English-speaking peoples? What about the peoples of Africa, Asia, South America, and the islands? This free online book provides scriptural, scientific, historical references, and commentary to address those matters. Here are links to related sermons: Lost tribes, the Bible, and DNA; Lost tribes, prophecies, and identifications; 11 Tribes, 144,000, and Multitudes; Israel, Jeremiah, Tea Tephi, and British Royalty; Gentile European Beast; Royal Succession, Samaria, and Prophecies; Asia, Islands, Latin America, Africa, and Armageddon;  When Will the End of the Age Come?;  Rise of the Prophesied King of the North; Christian Persecution from the Beast; WWIII and the Coming New World Order; and Woes, WWIV, and the Good News of the Kingdom of God.