THE THIRD WORLD WAR 2022 - By Bernard Bujold-
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday oversaw the first test-launch of an intercontinental ballistic missile that he said would make those threatening his country “think twice,” in his latest nuclear saber-rattling since launching his war in Ukraine.
Since sending Russian troops into the neighboring country in late February, Mr. Putin has repeatedly raised the threat of nuclear war in an effort to deter the U.S. and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization from getting involved in the conflict.
The Russian Defense Ministry said the test-launch was the first in the testing program and analysts said it could likely not be deployed for use in the near future.
The ministry announced Wednesday afternoon it had successfully launched the RS-28 Sarmat system, a heavy intercontinental missile that the ministry said could hit targets anywhere in the world and evade any existing and future antimissile defense systems.
“This truly unique weapon will force all who are trying to threaten our country in the heat of frenzied, aggressive rhetoric to think twice,” Mr. Putin said in televised comments.
