The Russian President recently announced that Russia had tested its Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile.

About Burevestnik Missile
The Burevestnik missile (official Russian designation 9M730, NATO reporting name: SSC-X-9 Skyfall) is a Russian nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile designed to have an effectively unlimited range. Its primary purpose is to serve as a strategic deterrent capable of evading current and future missile defense systems through its low-altitude, unpredictable flight path. 

Key Features

• Propulsion: The missile uses a miniature nuclear reactor for propulsion, a key difference from conventional cruise missiles that are limited by the amount of chemical fuel they can carry. It is launched using a solid-fuel booster, after which the nuclear-powered engine takes over for sustained flight.
• Unlimited Range: The nuclear power source means the missile's range is theoretically unlimited, allowing it to stay airborne for days or even circle the globe before striking a target.
• Evasion Capabilities: It is designed to fly at very low altitudes (between 50 and 100 meters above ground level), which makes it difficult for radar systems to detect and intercept.
• Unpredictable Path: The ability to fly a long, circuitous, and unpredictable flight path further complicates defense efforts, in contrast to intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that follow a more predictable trajectory. 

Development and Status

• Announcement: Russian President Vladimir Putin first unveiled the Burevestnik as one of six new strategic weapons in March 2018.
• Testing: The program has faced significant challenges and a history of test failures, including a 2019 accident that resulted in the deaths of five nuclear scientists and a release of radiation. However, Russian officials recently claimed a successful test on October 21, 2025, during which the missile reportedly flew for approximately 15 hours, covering about 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles).
• Current Status: The missile is currently in the development phase, with Russian officials stating that preparations for its deployment will begin soon. Western experts note that the technical viability and safety of the weapon are still debated, and the longer it flies, the more time air defenses have to track and potentially intercept it. 

Strategic Significance
The Burevestnik is primarily a political weapon intended to signal to the West that Russia can overcome existing and future NATO missile defense systems. Its development is considered by some experts to be a response to the U.S. withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2001. 

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