Russia conducted a test on a new nuclear-powered cruise missile capable of evading existing defenses, moving closer to its potential deployment in the military, as stated by President Vladimir Putin in remarks released on Sunday. The announcement, following years of Burevestnik missile trials, is part of the Kremlin’s nuclear signaling amid Western calls for a ceasefire in Ukraine. Putin cautioned the U.S. and NATO allies against sanctioning Russia with longer-range Western arms.
A video released by the Kremlin depicted Putin, in camouflage attire, receiving a briefing from Gen. Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s chief of general staff. Gerasimov reported that the Burevestnik traveled 14,000 kilometers in a recent test, remaining airborne for 15 hours on nuclear power, with potential for further improvements. Western experts have expressed doubts about the Burevestnik, known as Skyfall by NATO, citing concerns over the reliability of a nuclear engine.
Putin initially mentioned the weapon in his 2018 address, claiming it would have an unlimited range, enabling it to circumnavigate the globe undetected by missile defense systems. The missile’s potential risks and environmental impact have raised concerns, as similar projects by the U.S. and the Soviet Union during the Cold War were eventually abandoned due to safety issues.
The Burevestnik faced an explosion during tests in 2019, resulting in casualties and a brief spike in radioactivity. While Russian officials did not confirm the weapon involved, the U.S. identified it as the Burevestnik. Putin emphasized the weapon’s invulnerability and unpredictable flight path, asserting its superiority over existing and future missile defenses.
Kirill Dmitriev, a key Putin aide, informed U.S. counterparts about the successful testing of the Burevestnik, describing it as a new class of weapon. The recent military drills by Russia’s strategic nuclear forces, featuring missile launches, coincided with the postponement of a planned summit with U.S. President Donald Trump on Ukraine. The exercises involved Moscow’s nuclear triad and tested military command structures, including intercontinental ballistic missile launches and strategic bomber missions.
Simultaneously, Russia targeted Ukraine with drone strikes, resulting in civilian casualties in Kyiv. The attacks prompted renewed pleas for Western air defense systems from Ukraine’s leadership, as tensions escalate in the region.
