Russia warns of 'catastrophic' conflict with NATO after testing 'most powerful nuclear missile in the world'

In wake of Vladimir Putin confirming plans to deploy the 'most powerful missile in the world', one of his top diplomats has delivered a chilling warning.

Almost a week after the Russian leader, 73, boasted about the successful test launch of the Sarmat strategic weapon - menacingly known as 'Satan II' - his Deputy Foreign Minister warned the likelihood of a 'head-on clash' with NATO is growing.

Sergei Ryabkov, who has held his position since 2008, said discussion of 'the looming threat of a high-intensity war' is running rampant in European capitals.

He suggested this 'escalatory narrative' is only poking the proverbial bear that is Putin - and he warned there could be 'potentially catastrophic consequences'.

"As a result of this escalation of tensions, including blatantly provocative moves in the nuclear sphere, strategic risks are increasing, as is the danger of a head-on clash between NATO and our country, with potentially catastrophic consequences as a result," Ryabkov, 65, told the TASS state news agency.

Ryabkov warned there could be 'potentially catastrophic consequences' (Contributor/Getty Images)

The senior diplomat said that Russia has 'unequivocally expressed its strong criticism' of some European countries running war games in recent weeks.

"Such steps are being accompanied by hostile anti-Russian rhetoric and are an element of the broader process of Europe’s accelerated militarisation, directly targeting this country," Ryabkov said.

He also told TASS there is something of a stalemate between Russia and Western nations over security, who he accused of using hostile communication efforts.

"The point is that there are currently no conditions for launching a substantive, equal, and mutually acceptable strategic dialogue that could include arms control discussions," Ryabkov went on.

"The basic political and military-political foundation simply does not exist, and it is impossible to build it unless our Western counterparts are willing to genuinely take Russia’s fundamental interests into account and reliably resolve key contradictions in the security field. There is a litany of problems hindering progress in this direction; we have repeatedly outlined them in detail."

Russia said the 'world's most powerful' nuclear missile, Satan II, would be ready for combat by the end of the year (X/@MedvedevRussiaE)

These concerning remarks from Ryabkov come just days after the Russian President confirmed a test of the terrifying intercontinental ballistic missile known as Satan II had gone well.

Putin said it will be ready for 'combat duty' by the end of 2026, as he bragged that it has 'the ability to penetrate all existing ​and future anti-missile defence systems'.

The rocket is said to weigh around 208 tonnes and is as tall as a 14-storey tower block, according to LBC.

"The total yield of the delivered warhead is more than four times greater than that of any existing, most powerful Western equivalent," Putin said.

"Most importantly, the missile can travel not only on a ballistic trajectory, but also on a suborbital one.

"Thirdly, this allows for a range of over 35,000 kilometres while simultaneously doubling its missile defence performance."

Russia's nuclear arsenal explained

According to International Campaign to End Nuclear Weapons statistics, Russia has the largest nuclear arsenal in the world, numbering around 5459 functional warheads, ahead of the USA's 5277.

Russia has threatened the use of its nuclear weapons several times since invading Ukraine in 2022, with the Russian Foreign Ministry accusing the UK and France of plotting to secretly supply Ukraine with nuclear technology.

"We once again warn of the risks of a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers and, accordingly, of its potentially dire consequences," the foreign ministry said, via Reuters.

The allegation has since been refuted, with the French embassy in Moscow calling the accusation 'an outright lie'.

Similar threats have been echoed across pro-Kremlin television shows, with propagandist Vladimir Solovyov regularly threatening the annihilation of the West, more specifically, the UK, on his chat show.

Fortunately for everyone involved, none of the nuclear threats have actually been acted on, most likely because everyone involved is aware that it would lead to mutually assured destruction.