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21.08.

1957: R-7 Semyorka: Soviet Missile which Could Destroy Cities on Other Continents

1957: R-7 Semyorka: Soviet Missile which Could Destroy Cities on Other Continents
Photo Credit To Wikipedia Commons

Story Highlights

  • Historical event:
  • 21 August 1957
  • The R-7 missile had a 3-megaton warhead (187.5 times stronger than the American bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima). The R-7 was also used for technological development. It was something akin to a model of the famous Soviet rockets which were used for the launch of the first satellite (Sputnik) into the Earth’s orbit.

On this day in 1957, the Soviet Union launched the R-7 Semyorka – the world’s first intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).



Its name Semyorka (Russian: Семёрка) means “the 7”. Intercontinental ballistic missiles can attack cities on other continents, mostly using nuclear warheads.

During the Cold War, these weapons were considered the most powerful forces of the USSR and the USA because they could attack the opponent’s cities and destroy them within 20 minutes.

Due to the mentioned launch, the Soviets surpassed the United States regarding their weapons. On this day, the R-7 allegedly made its 6,000-kilometer flight (later, it even made a 12,000-kilometer flight).

The R-7 missile had a 3-megaton warhead (187.5 times stronger than the American bomb which was dropped on Hiroshima).




The R-7 was also used for technological development. It was something akin to a model for the famous Soviet rockets which were used for the launch of the first satellite (Sputnik) into the Earth’s orbit (as well as for Vostok and Soyuz rockets, which are still used today).

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