Moscow — Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia has successfully tested a nuclear-powered cruise missile, bringing the long range Burevestnik system known in NATO as “Skyfall” closer to potential deployment.
During a televised briefing from a military command post, where Putin appeared in camouflage uniform, he said the missile’s nuclear propulsion system gives it a theoretical unlimited range, capable of evading traditional missile defense systems. “We have completed the tests successfully,” Putin stated, adding that Russia will now focus on preparing infrastructure for deployment of the new strategic weapon.
A Missile with Unlimited Range
First unveiled in 2018, the Burevestnik (meaning “storm petrel” in Russian) has been described by Moscow as a next generation strategic cruise missile designed to fly at low altitudes for extended durations. The concept relies on a small nuclear reactor to sustain propulsion, allowing it to stay airborne far longer than conventional missiles.
Western defense analysts, however, remain skeptical of Russia’s claims. U.S. and European intelligence assessments have previously questioned whether the system is technologically viable or safe, citing concerns over radioactive contamination during tests.
The most notorious incident occurred in 2019, when a reported explosion at a testing site near Severodvinsk killed several engineers and caused a temporary radiation spike an event Western observers linked to the Burevestnik program.
Developments on the Ukrainian Front
In the same briefing, Russian military commanders reported encircling Ukrainian forces in several sectors of the front, including 31 battalions near Krasnoarmeysk and 18 near Kupyansk. These battlefield claims, however, could not be independently verified, and Ukrainian officials have not commented on the reports.
The announcement comes amid an escalation of rhetoric between Moscow and Western capitals, with NATO members warning that Russia’s continued weapons testing particularly involving nuclear capable systems risks heightening global tensions.
Strategic Implications
The Burevestnik is one of several advanced weapons systems touted by Putin as part of Russia’s next-generation strategic deterrent, alongside hypersonic missiles such as the Avangard and Kinzhal.
If operational, the missile could theoretically fly for days or even weeks, approaching targets from unpredictable directions a capability that would challenge existing missile defense architectures.
Despite Russia’s announcement, Western analysts stress that there is no publicly available evidence confirming a fully successful flight of a nuclear-powered version. The test, if verified, would represent one of the most significant technological milestones in global weapons development in decades.
