Russia conducted a test of a novel nuclear-capable cruise missile designed to outsmart existing defenses, moving closer to its potential deployment in the military, as stated by President Vladimir Putin in comments released on Sunday. The announcement, made after extensive testing of the Burevestnik missile, is part of Russia’s nuclear signaling amidst tensions with the West over Ukraine. The Kremlin has been adamant against Western pressures for a ceasefire in Ukraine and has strongly cautioned the United States and NATO allies against punitive strikes deep within Russian territory using longer-range Western weapons.
A video released by the Kremlin depicted Putin, attired in camouflage attire, receiving a briefing from Gen. Valery Gerasimov, the chief of Russia’s general staff. Gerasimov informed Putin that the Burevestnik missile had covered 14,000 kilometers in a significant test on Tuesday. The missile, known as the Burevestnik or storm petrel in Russian, reportedly flew for 15 hours on nuclear power during the test, with potential for further advancements.
The Burevestnik remains shrouded in mystery, with NATO code-naming it Skyfall, and skepticism from Western experts due to concerns over the reliability of a nuclear engine. Initially disclosed by Putin during his 2018 state-of-the-nation address, the missile was touted to have an unlimited range, enabling it to circumnavigate the globe undetected by missile defense systems.
Although the details on the Burevestnik are scarce, concerns have been raised over its operational challenges and environmental risks. Previous attempts by the U.S. and the Soviet Union to develop nuclear-powered missiles during the Cold War were abandoned due to safety concerns. A tragic incident occurred in August 2019 when the Burevestnik reportedly exploded during tests, resulting in casualties and a brief spike in radioactivity.
Putin emphasized the need to assess potential uses and prepare infrastructure for deploying such weapons to the armed forces, highlighting the Burevestnik’s perceived invulnerability to existing and future missile defenses. Kirill Dmitriev, a senior aide to Putin, informed U.S. counterparts of the successful testing of the Burevestnik, labeling it as an entirely new class of weapon.
The recent testing coincided with Russia’s drone attacks on Ukraine, resulting in civilian casualties and prompting renewed calls for Western assistance. The weekend also saw Russia conducting strategic nuclear drills, involving all elements of its nuclear triad, amidst a postponed summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on Ukraine.
