https://x.com/MeNMyRC1/status/1837611953734537377
My thanks to @MT_Anderson for providing this Planet Labs imagery and allowing me to publish it with comments.
As is readily apparent, the RS-28 Sarmat test was a complete failure. The missile detonated in the silo leaving a massive crater and destroying the test site. The Sarmat is a liquid fueled missile so this accident could have occurred separate from the actual launch activity.
If this occurred as part of the fueling process, it could explain the lack of Cobra Ball activity on the day of the incident. This first, and last successful test of the Sarmat was April 20th, 2022.
With these events now official, this is at least the 4th failed test attempt of the "combat operational" Sarmat Heavy ICBM.
Note the 4 fire trucks responding to the forest fire.
https://x.com/georgewbarros/status/1837889796980543826
A large crater (approximately 62 meters wide) is visible at the launch silo and extensive damage in and around the launch pad can be seen which suggests that the missile exploded shortly after ignition or launch.
Whatever happened to Russia's "next-generation" ICBM a couple years ago that was supposed to put the US's technology to shame? Did it ever get off the ground, or was that another example of "Russia claims..."?
I believe that that's this.