Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the successful test launch of a new nuclear-powered cruise missile, the 9M730 Burevestnik, known to NATO as “Skyfall.”
Putin described the missile as a “weapon of unlimited range powered by a nuclear engine” and claimed it would soon be ready for deployment. Speaking during a visit to a Russian military command post, he hailed the missile as a breakthrough in nuclear weapons technology, calling it “a truly unique system that no other country in the world possesses” and asserting that it is “invincible” against current and future missile defense systems.
According to General Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s top military officer, the missile recently flew 14,000 kilometers over 15 hours during testing. Measuring roughly 12 meters long, the Burevestnik is believed to be capable of carrying a thermonuclear warhead and designed for intercontinental missions.
Dubbed the “Flying Chernobyl” by Western experts, the missile has drawn criticism for its environmental and safety risks due to its nuclear propulsion system. Former U.S. State Department official Thomas Countryman once called it “a uniquely stupid weapon system,” warning that it poses a greater risk to Russia itself because of the potential radioactive trail it leaves behind.
The Burevestnik’s development has faced numerous technical setbacks since testing began in 2016. The Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI) reports at least 13 known test attempts, with only two partial successes. A major incident in 2019 saw a prototype explode during recovery, killing several engineers and reportedly releasing radiation.
Despite these challenges, Putin stated that the missile is now in its final stage of development and will soon be ready for deployment. He identified it as one of six “super weapons” Russia unveiled in 2018, alongside the Sarmat (Satan-2) ICBM, Zircon and Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, the Avangard glide vehicle, and the Poseidon nuclear-powered underwater drone.
Named after the Russian word for “storm petrel,” the Burevestnik is said to possess unlimited range and high maneuverability. Analysts believe it is powered by a miniaturized nuclear reactor, theoretically allowing it to circle the globe multiple times before striking a target, while flying at extremely low altitudes to avoid radar detection.
However, Western intelligence agencies remain skeptical about the missile’s operational readiness, citing unresolved issues with stability and control. Satellite imagery analyzed by U.S. researchers last year appeared to identify its secret test site in Vologda, northern Russia.
The announcement coincides with an escalation in Russia’s war on Ukraine. Ukrainian officials reported that 26 people, including six children, were injured in overnight airstrikes on Kyiv, while three people were killed and 29 injured in other regions. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that within the past week alone, Russia launched 1,200 drones, 1,360 bombs, and 50 missiles across the country.
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