In recent headlines, a Russian missile test ended in failure, which not only tarnished its ambition of showcasing power but also exposed significant gaps in preparedness and planning. As someone deeply engrossed in building and scaling startups, this reminds me how critical it is for growth-minded individuals, like you and me, to prepare properly instead of over-promising. Failures are inevitable in highly complex systems, whether in missile technology or in entrepreneurship, but mishandling them can damage credibility and delay progress for years. Let’s dive into the details of what went wrong for Russia and uncover lessons female entrepreneurs in Europe can apply to avoid similar pitfalls.
The Test Result That Shook Confidence
Russia’s RS-28 Sarmat missile, designed to be an intercontinental ballistic powerhouse nicknamed Satan II, was meant to strike fear into adversaries. Instead, it not only failed to demonstrate its capabilities but also risked the country’s defense reputation. According to CNN’s report on the Sarmat failure, the weapon detonated far too early and released an enormous toxic cloud, damaging its credibility as a cornerstone of strategic deterrence.
Statistics show that a missile like Sarmat, with a range of 18,000 kilometers and capacity for several nuclear warheads, costs billions to develop, test, and deploy, taking resources away from other pressing priorities. Russian leader Vladimir Putin has boasted about its game-changing potential, but repeated setbacks have raised concerns about whether it can ever be a reliable part of the arsenal. Yet this isn’t just about failed launches. It’s about poor planning and an inability to address systemic issues, which can resonate deeply with entrepreneurs navigating their own challenges.
Key Takeaways for Entrepreneurs
Like founding a startup, developing a cutting-edge missile system requires high levels of foresight, coordination, resource management, and troubleshooting. As women leaders driving new ideas across industries, we can extract valuable lessons from this scenario to avoid costly failures in our ventures:
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Don’t Oversell Before Readiness
Russia’s repeated public declarations about Sarmat’s capabilities have only highlighted its shortcomings after every failed test. For entrepreneurs, this emphasizes why it’s better to slightly under-promise but over-deliver. Avoid overhyping a product before it's tested. Gradual, credible growth generates long-term trust. -
Iterate Behind the Scenes Before Major Showcases
Just as Russia’s Defense Ministry prematurely boasted combat trials for Sarmat, many startups debut products too soon. Instead, work in minimal but frequent, discreet iterations first. Tools like the F/MS Business Model Canvas Tool can help refine product offerings before you present them to stakeholders or clients. -
Allocate Resources Effectively
Developing Sarmat required shifting immense resources away from smaller, proven missiles. This lack of balance mirrors mismanagement in early-stage startups, where entrepreneurs may exhaust resources on ambitious but untested ideas. Craft a solid financial model and break projects into manageable milestones. Apps like Canvanizer AI help visually map funding and operational priorities. -
Maintain Transparency
Russian officials refused to comment on repeated accidents, eroding public and internal confidence in the project. As a business owner, silence during setbacks can invite speculation and mistrust. Instead, maintain transparency with both your team and audience. Be honest about challenges and explain how you’re addressing them.
Avoiding These Mistakes as Entrepreneurs
Let’s break down actionable ways to apply these insights to your startup or projects.
Build with Focus and Feedback
You might be running your business solo or with a small team, which means every decision counts. Borrow a principle from lean methodologies: launch minimally viable versions of your product or service, gather feedback, and keep optimizing incrementally. This approach inspired my strategy in building Fe/male Switch, a gamified platform for women entrepreneurs to develop their skills in STEM industries.
Balance Vision with Practicality
Entrepreneurs are often dreamers, and while dreaming big defines us, practicality grounds us. Don’t pour 80% of your resources into one grand vision while ignoring smaller, foundational projects that guarantee cash flow or product growth. Lack of balance is why Russia keeps facing budget and performance hurdles for Sarmat. Break large goals into smaller ones that allow you to pivot or scale as you learn.
Learn from Failures
Russia faces challenges handling setbacks like Sarmat’s failed tests. Rather than acknowledging the flaws and reworking the system, they continue pushing for strained deadlines. Don’t fall into that mindset. Document failures. Turn them into process improvements. This doesn’t only amplify resilience, it inspires loyalty among clients who appreciate your honesty.
Encourage Collaboration
No one can do everything perfectly. Build a network of partners and skilled team members willing to challenge gaps in your process. I drew heavily from peer mentors, accelerator cohorts like YES! Delft, Venture Deals, and community feedback to ground my ideas in reality before scaling.
Lessons to Learn if You’re a Female Entrepreneur in Europe
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Leverage Diverse Expertise: Tap into broader perspectives beyond your niche. For example, I combined my experience in linguistics with blockchain and deeptech to create complex interdisciplinary solutions matched with real-world demand.
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Get Comfortable with Grant Processes: My startups secured multiple grants at national and EU levels. Many female entrepreneurs hesitate to apply for funding thinking the process is too bureaucratic. Don’t. Programs like the OECD Global Blockchain Forum prioritize diversity, but you’ll only benefit if you apply.
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Align Failures with Data-Driven Pivots: If missile tests failed due to incomplete data, receiving detailed assessments from faulty launches could help future iterations. For startups, this means drilling into why campaigns faltered. Use insights, from customer feedback tools like Typeform, and revamp strategy accordingly.
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Collaborate Through European Networks: Find specialized accelerators or organizations empowering female founders throughout Europe. Whether it’s Brightlands or your local chamber of commerce, collaboration drives support systems and access that women too often lack.
A Useful Path Forward
Russia’s Sarmat failure isn’t just another news headline, at its core, it’s a story about the consequences of ambition without collaborative systems, transparency, and adaptability. If you’re expanding your business or preparing for growth, keep these lessons in mind:
- Build your credibility by advocating solutions, don’t shy away if critics question you.
- Set achievable project milestones rather than locking into inflexible deadlines.
- Dedicate resources to platforms that offer practical training or tools tailored to you. For instance, the tools from Fe/male Switch's ecosystem are ideal for refining your strategy while remaining cost-efficient.
As a female entrepreneur in Europe, the space to fail and improve often feels narrower. By proactively embracing transparency, collaboration, and steady progress, we can chart stronger paths, one tested step at a time.
FAQ
1. What happened during the Russian missile test failure?
The RS-28 Sarmat missile test on December 1, 2025, ended in a disastrous failure. The missile lost power, crashed shortly after liftoff, and released a toxic cloud near the launch site. Read more about Russia's missile test failure
2. What is RS-28 Sarmat, also known as Satan II?
The RS-28 Sarmat is a Russian intercontinental ballistic missile designed to carry multiple nuclear warheads over long distances. It was intended to replace the aging R-36M2 missile fleet. Explore RS-28 Sarmat specifications
3. How has Vladimir Putin discussed the Sarmat missile?
Putin has repeatedly touted the missile’s unique capabilities, calling it a “superweapon” that would ensure Russia’s nuclear dominance. Check out Putin’s remarks on Sarmat
4. What are the strategic implications of this failure for Russia?
The repeated test failures of the Sarmat missile have jeopardized its credibility and raised concerns regarding Russia's nuclear deterrence strategy. Understand the strategic challenges
5. Was there any international reaction to the failed test?
The United States deployed monitoring assets like RC-135S Cobra Ball aircraft to observe missile tests, highlighting heightened global scrutiny of Russia's nuclear capabilities. Learn more about RC-135S Cobra Ball
6. How have Russian officials responded to the failure?
Russian officials have largely declined to comment on the incident, creating speculation and erosion of public confidence. Discover Russia’s stance following the accident
7. What toxic substances were associated with the crash?
The failed missile released harmful hypergolic propellants, including heptyl fuel, which has strong toxic and mutagenic effects. Learn more about hypergolic fuels
8. What previous incidents have plagued the Sarmat program?
The missile program has suffered multiple setbacks, including a silo explosion in 2024 that caused extensive damage to infrastructure. Review past Sarmat failures
9. Is there a chance the Sarmat program could be canceled?
Experts suggest that financial constraints and reliability concerns may lead Russia to cancel Sarmat and focus on smaller, proven missile systems. Read expert views on the future of the program
10. What can entrepreneurs learn from Russia’s missile failures?
Russia’s ambitious yet unprepared approach underscores the importance of planning, resource management, and iterative testing before showcasing a product. Check out F/MS Business Model Canvas Tool
About the Author
Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. Throughout her startup experience she has applied for multiple startup grants at the EU level, in the Netherlands and Malta, and her startups received quite a few of those. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.
Violetta Bonenkamp's expertise in CAD sector, IP protection and blockchain
Violetta Bonenkamp is recognized as a multidisciplinary expert with significant achievements in the CAD sector, intellectual property (IP) protection, and blockchain technology.
CAD Sector:
- Violetta is the CEO and co-founder of CADChain, a deep tech startup focused on developing IP management software specifically for CAD (Computer-Aided Design) data. CADChain addresses the lack of industry standards for CAD data protection and sharing, using innovative technology to secure and manage design data.
- She has led the company since its inception in 2018, overseeing R&D, PR, and business development, and driving the creation of products for platforms such as Autodesk Inventor, Blender, and SolidWorks.
- Her leadership has been instrumental in scaling CADChain from a small team to a significant player in the deeptech space, with a diverse, international team.
IP Protection:
- Violetta has built deep expertise in intellectual property, combining academic training with practical startup experience. She has taken specialized courses in IP from institutions like WIPO and the EU IPO.
- She is known for sharing actionable strategies for startup IP protection, leveraging both legal and technological approaches, and has published guides and content on this topic for the entrepreneurial community.
- Her work at CADChain directly addresses the need for robust IP protection in the engineering and design industries, integrating cybersecurity and compliance measures to safeguard digital assets.
Blockchain:
- Violetta’s entry into the blockchain sector began with the founding of CADChain, which uses blockchain as a core technology for securing and managing CAD data.
- She holds several certifications in blockchain and has participated in major hackathons and policy forums, such as the OECD Global Blockchain Policy Forum.
- Her expertise extends to applying blockchain for IP management, ensuring data integrity, traceability, and secure sharing in the CAD industry.
Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).
She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond, launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks and is building MELA AI to help local restaurants in Malta get more visibility online.
For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.
About the Publication
Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.
Mission and Purpose
Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.
Key Features
The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:
- Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
- Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
- AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
- SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
- Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
- Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials
Impact and Growth
Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:
- 5,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
- 100+ startup tools built
- 5,000+ pieces of articles and news written
- 1,000 unique business ideas for women created
Partnerships
Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.
Recognition
Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.
