Recently, Vladimir Putin made headlines by announcing the successful long-distance test of a nuclear-powered cruise missile, which he argues has no parallel in the West. This declaration comes as Russia continues to navigate rising tensions overthe situation in Ukraine, potentially leveraging this technology as a bargaining chip in any future arms negotiations with the U.S.
Some Western diplomats expressed alarm over the potential dangers this new development brings to Russia’s military capabilities, but not all experts are convinced; some see it as a mixed bag more perplexing than threatening. According to Putin, the missile, officially named Burevestnik, accomplished an impressive 8,700-mile flight over 15 hours, as told by General Valery Gerasimov, the chief of Russia’s general staff, in a Kremlin video announcement.
Building on its unique propulsion system, the Burevestnik is touted as having the ability to transport a nuclear warhead across the globe while evading established missile-defense systems either by skimming low to the ground or the ocean. However, experts argue that this kind of weaponry is somewhat outdated by today’s standards, given that the Burevestnik flies below the speed of sound, a target made increasingly vulnerable to interception particularly in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Without a question, the Burevestnik’s radioactive signature could make it easier to track, and its complex architecture also means there’s a greater likelihood of malfunction. “Technically it’s certainly feasible,” said William Alberque, a former official with NATO on arms control, “but in the modern environment speed and agility are essential.”
This missile s ds in drawing attention as tensions grow between Moscow and the Trump administration, emphasizing the frustrations over the sluggish pace of peace talks regarding Ukraine. Moreover, restrictions were lifted allowing Ukraine more latitude with long-range missiles aimed at Russian positions.
The Burevestnik also represents an evolving concern for Trump’s proposed missile-defense strategy, known as the “Golden Dome.” This initiative primarily targets high-flying intercontinental ballistic missiles while the Burevestnik poses a challenge given its low-flying trajectory. This could give Russia crucial leverage if any arms control discussions are revived.
Explained Pavel Podvig, a specialist from the UN back in regards to this progress, “This missile symbolizes a political strategy more than a credible military asset.”
Nuclear-powered cruise missiles are far from new; the U.S. explored this concept back in the 1950s but eventually phased it out in favor of faster and more reliable intercontinental ballistic missiles. Similar Russian research has also roots dating back to the same era, noted Douglas Barrie of the International Institute for Strategic Studies.
In reaction against the evolving security concerns—the U.S. abdicated from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty in 2002, sparking Russian interest in advanced missile systems like the Burevestnik designed to deter possible strikes. Those fears were echoed during the Regan-era’s “Star Wars” missile shield concept.
When Putin first presented the Burevestnik during Trump’s presidency, it was coupled with flashy animations suggesting the missile could evade radar and strike American territories from unexpected angles, specifically from the South Pole. But reality tells a very different story; early tests clocked the missile at running mere minutes at best. Troubling incidents even led to militaries having to recover malfunctioning missiles from the Arctic Ocean.
Compounding the issues, a dramatic explosion in a nuclear testing facility resulted in the untimely deaths of five Russian scientists—a disastrous blow to the Burevestnik project. As Alberque put it bluntly, this development has come at a very steep cost for Russia, not just financially but also in human life.
Earlier this year, experts detected activity near old launching sites associated with the Burevestnik, although it remains unknown whether further tests were actually executed
“Even skilled specialists have acknowledged the technological complexities surrounding a nuclear-powered missile,” Putin admitted to Gerasimov recently, highlighting the immense hurdles faced in making the Burevestnik operational.
Despite Russian assertions of its capabilities, experts agree that its primary value lies in its political messaging rather than martial potential—the system could constitute a counter-shoot to U.S. missile defense strategies.
Hypersonic missiles, developed simultaneously in Russia and China, continue to outperform any U.S. defensive mechanisms, prompting urgent responses from America and NATO to bolster interception efforts.
If ever launched, the Burevestnik may have its limitations visible before liftoff due to the nuclear reactor capabilities, making its usage even more complicated given the radiation it would emit before engaging its rockets, easily detectable remotely.
A spokesperson from Norway’s radiation monitoring service stated that since the missile test conducted on October 21, no increased radiation was observed, nevertheless experts stress it may be premature to affirm any conclusions.
Operation of the missile is also lent complications by the fact that a nuclear rocket requires typical thrusting mechanism for liftoff rather than relying entirely on the “all-nuclear” agenda traditional power rings might indicate. In conclusions from footage captured during an initial test back in 2018, launch depicted a likely pairing of a standard solid rocket engine for takeoff fused with major boosters acceleration illustrations beforehand. Barrie highlighted, “Not the simplest sequence for engaging. Costs and hazards with logistics are significant besides ensuring execution and assembling in controlled environments.”
