Ukraine-Russia war live: Putin suffers ‘catastrophic’ Satan II missile failure as Zelensky hints at end of war

By Isaac M September 24, 2024
Related: Ukraine’s attack is only way to force Russia to negotiating table, Zelensky aide says

Your support helps us to tell the story

My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.

Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.

Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond

Head shot of Eric Garcia

Eric Garcia

Washington Bureau Chief

Russia appears to have suffered a “catastrophic failure” in a test of its Sarmat missile, a key weapon in the modernisation of its nuclear arsenal, according to arms experts who have analysed satellite images of the launch site.

The images captured by Maxar on 21 September show a crater about 60 metres wide at the launch silo at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. They reveal extensive damage that was not visible in pictures taken earlier in the month.

The RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, known in the West as Satan II, is designed to deliver nuclear warheads against targets thousands of miles away, but its development has been dogged by setbacks.

Meanwhile during his Washington visit, Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine was “closer to the end of the war” with Russia than many people realise.

“I think that we are closer to peace than we think,” he told ABC in an interview that is due to be released in full on Tuesday.

In Kursk, the situation remains “serious” around a Russian nuclear power plant some 40km from territory seized by Ukraine, according to UN nuclear agency chief Rafael Grossi.

1727152994

Moscow suffers ‘catastrophic failure’ after firing ballistic missile named ‘Satan II’

Russia appears to have suffered a “catastrophic failure” in a test of its Sarmat missile, a key weapon in the modernisation of its nuclear arsenal, according to arms experts who have analysed satellite images of the launch site.

The images captured by Maxar on 21 September show a crater about 60 metres wide at the launch silo at the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in northern Russia. They reveal extensive damage that was not visible in pictures taken earlier in the month.

Timothy Wright, research associate at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) in London, said the destruction of the area immediately surrounding the missile silo was suggestive of a failure soon after ignition.

“One possible cause is that the first stage (booster) either failed to ignite properly or suffered from a catastrophic mechanical failure, causing the missile to fall back into or land closely adjacent to the silo and explode,” he told Reuters.

The RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile, known in the West as Satan II, is designed to deliver nuclear warheads to strike targets thousands of miles away in the United States or Europe, but its development has been dogged by delays and testing setbacks.

Arpan Rai24 September 2024 05:43

1727151637

Ukraine closer to end of war with Russia, says Zelensky

Ukraine is “closer to the end of the war” with Russia, Volodymyr Zelensky said in an interview with ABC News released yesterday,

“I think that we are closer to peace than we think,” he was quoted as saying. “We are closer to the end of the war.”

Mr Zelensky urged Washington and other partners to continue supporting Ukraine. Washington and its allies have provided a multi-billion dollar assistance program to Ukraine while also imposing several rounds of sanctions against Moscow.

Only from a “strong position” can Ukraine push Russian president Vladimir Putin “to stop the war”, Mr Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian war-time president has said very little so far about his “victory plan,” except that it would act as a “bridge” to a second Ukraine-led summit on peace that Kyiv wants to hold and invite Russia to later this year. Moscow has rejected the invite.

Arpan Rai24 September 2024 05:20

1727150400

Mapped: Ukraine’s incursion into the Russian Kursk region explained

Tom Watling24 September 2024 05:00

1727146800

I’ve witnessed the horrific cost of Putin’s war – as casualties hit 1m

Tom Watling24 September 2024 04:00

1727146363

Situation tense around Russia’s Kursk plant, says UN nuclear chief

The situation remains serious around Russia’s Kursk nuclear power plant, UN nuclear agency chief Rafael Grossi said, but his agency planned no permanent mission at the site.

Part of Kursk remains under the control of Ukrainian troops, who poured over from the border last month. They are still some 40km (25 miles) from the nuclear facility, however.

“(The situation) is serious in that a military incursion has taken place and that incursion has reached the stage that it is not that distant from a nuclear power station,” said Mr Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

He had visited the Kursk plant, made up of four reactors, last month and said it would be “extremely exposed” if it came under attack as the facility had no containment dome – a safety feature found in all modern nuclear facilities protecting the reactor.

In his comments to RIA, made in New York ahead of debates at the UN General Assembly, he said he hoped favourable circumstances would mean he would not have to visit the plant again.

“I hope there will be no need to return to the Kursk station as that would mean that the situation has stabilised,” he said.

Arpan Rai24 September 2024 03:52

1727143200

Putin’s fall is inevitable, says freed prisoner Vladimir Kara Murza

Tom Watling24 September 2024 03:00

1727139600

EU chief travels to Kyiv with promise of fresh energy funds to get Ukraine through winter

Tom Watling24 September 2024 02:00

1727136000

Northrop Grumman plans ammunition plant partnership in Lithuania

Lithuania has signed a memorandum of understanding with Northrop Grumman Corporation for the development of an ammunition plant in the Baltic country that could also benefit Ukraine, the government and U.S. arms maker said in a joint statement on Monday.

The collaboration would boost Lithuania’s domestic defence industry and minimise the reliance on long supply chains, the government said, without giving any details of locations, time scales or financing.

“We hope that the cooperation with our American allies will strengthen the country’s security and preparedness, while also benefiting the wider region, including Ukraine,” Lithuanian Finance Minister Gintare Skaiste said in a statement.

Steve O’Bryan, corporate vice president and global business development officer of Northrop Grumman said the collaboration was in keeping with the company’s commitment to “supporting U.S. and allied countries through industry partnerships across the globe”.

The project, to be developed with state-owned ammunition manufacturer Giraite Armaments Plant, is expected to produce middle-caliber ammunition, according to the statement.

Tom Watling24 September 2024 01:00

1727132400

A charred transformer on a Kyiv square makes for an unusual Ukraine war exhibit

Tom Watling24 September 2024 00:00

1727128803

Ukraine accuses Russia of seeking to illegally control strategic sea as arbitration hearings open

Tom Watling23 September 2024 23:00

source

Leave a Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *