Putin Threatens To Deploy Highly Dangerous Nuclear Weapon This Year

Vladimir Putin has sent out a chilling warning to his international foes by threatening to deploy the devastating 'Satan 2' Ballistic missile - which is capable carrying up to 10 nuclear warheads - before December.

The Russian President spoke about the newly-developed weapon on Tuesday, stating that the rest of the world had no comparable weapon - and won't 'for a long time to come'.

As Metro UK report, the SARMAT RS-28 intercontinental ballistic missile - ominously dubbed 'Satan 2' - is currently being tested by the Russian military.

However, as Putin himself told the media early on Tuesday: "It is planned that the first such complex will be put on combat duty by the end of the year.

According to the President, the deadly weapon is blessed with "the highest tactical and technical characteristics and is capable of overcoming all modern means of anti-missile defence."

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Satan 2 is thought to have a staggering 11,000 miles of range, allowing it to reach the UK and the United States from within Russia's borders.

While it's unclear whether Putin is insinuating that nuclear weapons will be used this year, it most certainly wouldn't be the first time he has openly threatened to escalate matters to that level.

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February, the 69-year-old has claimed on several occasions that he would be willing to deploy nuclear weapons in order to achieve his military goals in the nation.

Tensions are once again simmering between Putin and Western leaders over the EU's continued blockading of Kaliningrad in Eastern Europe.

A Russian territory sandwiched between the sovereign European nations of Poland and Lithuania, EU sanctioned goods are currently blocked from entering Kaliningrad due to sanctions that were imposed earlier this year.

While Russia is still able to supply the region via sea, state officials have demanded that Lithuania lift its ban.

In response, the Kremlin stated that 'Russia reserves the right to taker action in defence of its national interests', sparking fears within Lithuania that an attack - or invasion - could be imminent.

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In the event of an invasion, all NATO nations would be called upon to defend Lithuania, which is a member state of the alliance.

Russia's defence committee deputy chair, Aleksey Zhuravlyov, added fuel to the fire on Tuesday by suggesting that the newly developed 'Satan 2' could be aimed at Sweden or Finland if they follow Lithuania in joining NATO.

“If the United States threatens our state, it’s good: here is the Sarmat for you, and there will be nuclear ashes from you if you think that Russia should not exist," he stated.

"And Finland says that it is at one with the USA. Well, get in line.”

Zhuravlyov went on to make bold claims about the capabilities of the missile, rejecting the theory that Russia would need to establish a nuclear base closer to its Finnish border in order to reduce the nation to 'nuclear ashes'.

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