Sarmat

Sarmat refers primarily to the RS-28 Sarmat, a Russian heavy intercontinental ballistic missile developed for the Strategic Missile Forces. The name derives from the Sarmatians, an ancient Iranian people who inhabited the Eurasian steppe.

The RS-28 Sarmat is designed as a successor to older Soviet-era ICBMs and is intended to provide a long-range, ground-based strategic strike capability. It is described as capable of delivering a large payload over intercontinental distances and is expected to carry multiple independently targetable reentry vehicles, along with other payload configurations such as decoys or maneuvering warheads to enhance survivability against missile defenses. The system is designed for silo-based deployment and aims to deter strategic targets globally.

Technical characteristics promoted by sources emphasize its heavy class and the aim of improving penetration of missile defense systems, with reported emphasis on reliability, reach, and payload flexibility. Specific technical details, such as exact range, number of warheads, or propulsion configurations, are not fully disclosed publicly and are the subject of official and military discussions.

Operational status and development timeline have been the subject of public statements and media coverage. By the mid-2020s, RS-28 Sarmat had undergone several publicized test launches, with official descriptions framing it as a component of Russia’s future strategic arsenal. Exact deployment dates and final weapon configurations remain subject to state disclosures and program updates.

Beyond this military context, the term Sarmat also appears in historical and cultural references. It denotes the Sarmatians, an ancient people of the Eurasian steppe, and is used in various contexts in language and nomenclature.