Russia's advanced liquid-propelled RS-28 Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) is allegedly 10 to 15 years ahead of its US counterpart, Alexei Leonkov, a military expert, told Radio Sputnik.

The Sarmat missiles are due to start operation next year and will replace the powerful RS-20V Voyevoda ballistic missile, which has been used by the Russian strategic nuclear forces for more than 25 years.

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The cutting-edge Sarmat missile system is said to be two times lighter and is more energy-efficient than its predecessor. Also, its improved performance will give added means to surpass the US missile defense system. The fifth-generation missile system allegedly has a striking range of up to 18,000 kilometers and could carry between 10 and 15 warheads, each with a capacity of up to 750 kilotons.

"Its characteristics are so impressive that our opponents have reason to be afraid of it," Leonkov said. "They will fly to their target at hypersonic speeds performing maneuvers so that the existing American missile defense system would be incapable of intercepting them."

The missile system has also been dubbed as the "devil in disguise," "Satan," and "weapons of nuclear hell" by the US and European Union's mainstream media.

Meanwhile, Russian news outlet Zvedza reported in 2016 that Sarmat would make the best current missile defense system powerless. The missile will feature a MIRV (multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle) together with a dozen heavy warheads, each steerable during reentry.

The Sarmat warheads will reportedly also be equipped with advanced antimissile countermeasures designed to penetrate the US missile defense shield. There are rumors that it will feature a conventional hypersonic version similar to the US' Advanced Hypersonic Weapon or China's WU-14. It could also be used as a precision intercontinental weapon during non-nuclear situations.