Russia is preparing to test a 'massive' missile with the world's longest range.

According to the Russian newspaper Izvestia, Russia has begun preparations to test the latest generation of the heavy Sarmat ballistic missile system, which is launched from underground silos.

The Russian Strategic Missile Forces have begun preparations for large-scale test firings of the Sarmat missile, the world's longest-range missile, the newspaper reported, citing former Chief of Staff of the Strategic Missile Forces, Colonel Viktor Esin.

The Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) will enter service with the Russian military in 2018 and replace a number of RS-20 Voyevoda ballistic missiles, the Izvestia newspaper reported.

Russian underground missile silos.

Sarmat is a modern, solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missile. It was designed to replace the Soviet-era R-36M Voevoda missile, nicknamed "Satan's Devil" by NATO, launched from underground silos belonging to Russia's nuclear deterrence force.

According to Zvezda, the Sarmat missile will not only become a successor to the R-36M, but to some extent it will determine Russia's nuclear deterrence capabilities.

Russian television added that the Sarmat is capable of striking a vast territory the size of Texas or France, and its supersonic speed would penetrate any current missile defense system.

Russia's Sarmat missile.

The missile will be equipped with a sophisticated re-entry vehicle (MIRVed) containing dozens of heavy warheads, each with high maneuverability.

The Sarmat warhead has a modern anti-missile interception system, capable of penetrating the US's ABM "steel dome".

The Sarmat, with a range of at least 5,500 km, is part of the Russian government's plan to modernize its nuclear forces by 2020.

According to the People's Police Newspaper