Moscow: Russia has successfully tested its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, a strategic weapon designed to extend the nation’s military reach and evade modern missile defense systems. The test, conducted on October 21, involved a missile traveling approximately 14,000 kilometers over a 15-hour flight, demonstrating both its nuclear-powered propulsion system and unprecedented range.
President Vladimir Putin hailed the successful test as a major achievement in Russian defense technology. Speaking from a military command post, Putin described the Burevestnik as a “unique weapon which nobody else in the world possesses,” emphasizing its potential to outmaneuver existing and future missile defense capabilities. He acknowledged earlier skepticism among Russian specialists about the feasibility of such a weapon but stated that the test marked the completion of a crucial phase of trials. Putin instructed military authorities to begin preparations for operational deployment, including the necessary infrastructure and logistics.
General Valery Gerasimov, Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, highlighted the missile’s technical distinction. Unlike previous tests, the Burevestnik’s nuclear-powered propulsion allows it to fly longer distances without refueling, with an unpredictable trajectory that complicates interception. Gerasimov stressed that the missile’s extended flight duration and evasive capabilities make it a formidable addition to Russia’s strategic arsenal.
The Burevestnik forms part of a broader effort by Moscow to modernize its nuclear deterrent forces. On October 22, President Putin oversaw a large-scale readiness test of Russia’s nuclear capabilities. This exercise included the launch of a “Yars” intercontinental ballistic missile from a ground-based silo, a “Sineva” submarine-launched ballistic missile from the Barents Sea, and nuclear-capable cruise missiles from strategic bombers. According to the Kremlin, all objectives were successfully achieved, reaffirming the operational readiness of Russia’s nuclear forces.
Analysts view these developments as a signal of Russia’s intent to maintain strategic parity amid heightened tensions with Western powers, particularly the United States. The successful testing of the Burevestnik missile could intensify global concerns over nuclear arms proliferation and provoke NATO and other nations to reassess their missile defense strategies. The weapon’s nuclear propulsion and long-range capabilities mark a significant evolution in Russia’s strategic arsenal, highlighting the ongoing technological competition in global military systems.