In an attempt to intimidate the West as the Russian offensive in Donbas continues, the Russian military announced that it successfully test-fired its new intercontinental ballistic missile, the Sarmat ICBM or the Satan II.

According to Russian state news agency TASS, the first test of the Sarmat was carried out last Wednesday at the Plesetsk cosmodrome in the Arkhangelsk region on April 20, 15:12 Moscow time. The Sarmat, a three-stage, liquid-fueled missile, is expected to replace Russia’s SS-18 Satan ICBM.

The Russian defense ministry said that the Sarmat launch tasks were fully completed and that the design characteristics of all the flight stages of the ICBM were also completed and confirmed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin congratulated the Russian military and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu upon seeing the success of the launch.

“I congratulate you on the successful launch of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile. This is a big, significant event in the development of promising weapons systems of the Russian army,” Putin said, who boasted about how modern the missile was and that it was able to overcome all air defense systems. He also said that the missile is a reminder for other countries that will try to threaten their country.

“It has no analogues in the world and will not be for a long time. This truly unique weapon will strengthen the combat potential of our Armed Forces, reliably ensure Russia’s security from external threats and make those who, in the heat of rabid, aggressive rhetoric, try to threaten our country, think,” Putin threatened.