Russia has tested the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, according to Moscow's Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov. He informed President Vladimir Putin during a televised meeting that the missile's recent test flight lasted for several hours, covering a distance of 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles), with further range potential.
This experimental weapon, first announced in 2018, is considered to have an unlimited operational range and was designed specifically to evade existing missile defense systems. However, Western analysts have expressed doubts about its effectiveness and the veracity of Russia's claim regarding its operational success.
Putin previously mentioned a final successful test of this missile in 2023; however, independent verification of this claim remains elusive. Reports indicate that of at least 13 tests conducted since 2016, only two have met with partial success, according to arms control advocacy groups.
During the test on October 21, Gerasimov noted that the missile flew for 15 hours, and its capabilities for vertical and horizontal maneuvers were reported as satisfactory, allowing it to effectively bypass missile defenses.
The strategic importance of the Burevestnik missile has sparked significant debate within military circles since its inception, with some analysts concluding that if operational, it would provide Russia with a unique weapon with intercontinental range capabilities. However, the weapon has faced various technical challenges, including numerous test failures and safety concerns related to its nuclear propulsion system.
The missile, identified by NATO as Skyfall, is designed to be powered by a nuclear reactor that activates after its solid-fuel rocket boosters launch it into the air. An investigation by Reuters last year indicated a probable launch site located about 475 kilometers north of Moscow, where satellite imagery identified multiple horizontal launch pads under active construction.
