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In the same week, he met Donald Trump for a Helsinki summit, videos were released showing his ‘six of the best’ new cutting-edge missile systems - all part of an extensive modernisation of his armoury. One highlighted a test launch of the Kremlin’s newest Sarmat heavy intercontinental ballistic missile with a reach across the entire planet. The bright checkered-coated missile is seen leaving its launch silo. The liquid-fueled, superheavy thermonuclear armed intercontinental ballistic missile is developed to replace the old SS-18 Satan missile.

Putin has warned the West of his FIREPOWER

The hypersonic weapon is capable of striking targets via both the North and South poles. Putin has said this will be combat ready in 2020. This and the other missile systems showcased today by the Russian defence ministry will “beef up our strategic forces in the foreseeable future” he promised in May. Sarmat “allows the use of all types of individually targeted warheads, including those still on the drawing board,” said Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces Commander, Col. Gen. Karatayev.

It will unleash 10 large warheads or 16 smaller ones or a combination of both. The hypersonic Kinzhal travels at ten times the speed of sound and is currently undergoing tests in southern Russia. It is launched from a high-altitude MiG-31 fighter jet and can be fitted with nuclear or conventional weapons. It has an effective range of 1,250 miles.

Some 350 training missions have been conducted by the military unit tasked with testing the Kinzhal. Yet another hypersonic missile complex, the Avangard, is in an early test phase with underground silos being adapted for its use. Footage shows the Avangard glider, fitted to a ballistic missile, being loaded into an underground silo. The missile is said to be capable to withstanding high temperatures near a potential target. Also displayed is the ‘Burevestnik' nuclear propulsion system for Russian cruise missiles with "unlimited range and unlimited ability to manoeuvre,” according to Sergey Pertsev, a developer.

Putin’s war chest: Warships, armies, missiles and guns REVEALED Thu, March 15, 2018 Tensions between the UK and Russia are at breaking point. If things were to escalate to war, Vladimir Putin owns a terrifying war chest at his disposal. Play slideshow 1 of 9

Meanwhile the Poseidon drone submarine - with a miniature nuclear propulsion system - is shown undergoing a static test. The submarine is seen as a giant nuclear-capable torpedo. But its top secret propeller has been blurred out in the video not to give its secret away to watchers in the West. This weapon is launched from a manned submarine. "Unique characteristics of the Poseidon system will help the Navy to successfully combat aircraft carriers and strike groups of a potential adversary in any oceanic theatre of war and destroy shore infrastructure facilities," warned chief analyst of the General Staff, Admiral Igor Katasonov.