Washington: Russia is preparing to conduct a new test of its nuclear-capable, nuclear-powered cruise missile, the 9M730 Burevestnik, according to Ukrainian military intelligence. The development comes just days before the planned summit in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where the war in Ukraine and arms control are expected to dominate discussions.

Satellite images of the Pankovo test site on the remote Novaya Zemlya archipelago show increased activity, including the presence of additional vehicles, equipment, and personnel, suggesting preparations for a missile test. Independent researchers and a U.S. security source confirmed the activity was consistent with earlier attempts to launch the Burevestnik, known by NATO as “Skyfall.”

The Russian Defense Ministry, the Pentagon, and the CIA declined to comment on the reports. Analysts note that the timing of the preparations is politically significant, with Ukraine suggesting Russia may use the missile test as a tool to strengthen its negotiating position with the West.

The Burevestnik missile has long been described by President Putin as a strategic weapon capable of unlimited range and unpredictable flight paths, designed to evade U.S. missile defenses. However, the missile has a poor record, with only two partial successes out of at least 13 known tests, raising questions about its reliability and effectiveness.

The project has also attracted controversy because of the environmental and safety risks of nuclear propulsion. Critics have warned that accidents involving the missile could cause catastrophic contamination, with some arms control experts labeling it a “flying Chernobyl.”

Despite the doubts about its technical viability, the missile is seen as symbolically important for Moscow. It is considered part of Russia’s broader strategy to showcase advanced weapons that could offset U.S. technological initiatives such as the recently announced Golden Dome missile defense system.

Experts believe the decision to proceed with preparations for a test may have been made well before the Alaska summit, though the Kremlin could seek to use the timing for political advantage. Whether or not the missile is launched in the coming days, the renewed activity around the program highlights the continuing arms race dynamic shaping U.S.-Russia relations.