Satellite Images Show Damage to Plesetsk Launch Pad After Sarmat Blast

22 September, 2024 Launch pad after the explosion. Source: George Barros High-resolution images of the Russian Plesetsk test site's launch pad, where the RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile exploded, have surfaced.

The photos were shared by OSINT researcher and Institute for the Study of War (ISW) representative George Barros on X. Satellite images from MAXAR reveal significant damage to the launch pad. It is likely that the missile's liquid-fuel engine exploded as it was exiting the 15P728 launch shaft.

Launch pad before the explosion.

Source: George Barros

The explosion created a giant crater almost 62 meters wide, in which elements of the launch shaft are visible. The images show that the powerful explosion caused significant damage to the surrounding buildings, with almost the entire site covered in debris and earth. Considering this incident, Russia has managed to conduct only one successful launch of the RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile out of 5 attempts, with the sole success occurring on April 20, 2022.

It is known that, at least officially, there is only one launch pad 15P728 at the Plesetsk cosmodrome.

Test launch of the RS-28 Sarmat missile. Photo from open sources

Damage to such a critical infrastructure will result in delays in missile testing and significant financial investments needed to restore or construct a new launch facility. The RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile is presented by the Russian Ministry of Defense as a crucial advancement in nuclear deterrence.

Although the missile entered service in 2023, all subsequent attempts to test-fire operationally-ready missiles have failed.

Militarnyi previously reported that Russia also encountered failures in testing the Yars and Bulava missiles.