VLADIMIR Putin vowed to deploy his hypersonic "Satan-2" nuclear-capable missiles in a chilling new threat to the West.

The Russian leader said that the new generations of the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missiles - thought to be the world's most powerful - would soon be deployed for combat duty.

In a speech to newly graduated soldiers, Putin warned: "In the near future, the first launchers of the Sarmat complex with a new heavy missile will go on combat duty."

He also stressed the importance of Russia's "triad" of nuclear forces that can be launched from land, sea or air.

"The most important task here is the development of the nuclear triad, which is a key guarantee of Russia's military security and global stability," he said.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu also warned the military graduates that the "collective West" was waging a "real war" against Russia.

The new 208-ton hypersonic Satan-2 rocket measures 116 feet in length and can be loaded with 15 light nuclear warheads at once.

The weapon was designed to carry out nuclear strikes in countries thousands of miles away in the US and Europe.

It has the potential to obliterate the United Kingdom some 1,600 miles away in just six minutes.

And with an operational range of up to 11,180 miles, the deadly missile is reported to have no equivalent in the West in terms of the terror it could unleash.