During the course of yesterday, state media reported that the Russian Armed Forces have demonstrated the capabilities of their new nuclear-powered cruise missile, Burevestnik, which was described as a long-range weapon with enough flexibility in terms of maneuverability to evade enemy air defense systems. Reports indicate that during testing, the missile managed to travel up to 14,000 kilometers, remaining airborne for about 15 hours according to official accounts.
This was presented over the weekend by the Russian Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, to President Vladimir Putin during a meeting attended by both. In his own words: “The test was conducted on October 21. We carried out a multi-hour flight test with a nuclear missile, and it covered a distance of 14,000 kilometers, which is not the limit (…) The missile was in the air for about 15 hours, and that is not the limit either.”
Following the presentation, the Russian president stated that decisive tests with the platform had already been completed and subsequently ordered the Russian Armed Forces to begin preparing the necessary infrastructure for its induction into service. Like Gerasimov, Putin praised the capabilities of the new Burevestnik missile and even described it as a “unique” weapon capable of being used precisely against heavily defended targets. Furthermore, he celebrated Russia’s ability to realize a project that specialists had considered “unachievable.”
It is worth recalling, in this regard, that there have been problematic precedents in the development and testing of the new weapon, with a clear example occurring during tests conducted in 2019. At that time, a major explosion was recorded in the White Sea, followed by radiation measurements and the death of five Russian nuclear scientists. The first successful test—at least publicly announced by official sources and even by Putin himself—took place in October 2023.
Finally, it should be noted that tests with the Burevestnik missile have had a significant impact not only within Russian leadership circles but also in the United States. Before departing on a flight to Japan, President Donald Trump stated that the announcement of these tests was “not appropriate,” at a time of heightened tensions due to the stalled negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Aboard Air Force One, the U.S. president remarked: “He should end the war. A war that should have lasted a week is about to enter its fourth year. That’s what he should do instead of testing missiles.”
Images used for illustrative purposes.
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