Executive Summary
- Russia has successfully tested its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, which President Putin claims can bypass any defense system and has an “essentially unlimited” range, with deployment plans now announced.
- President Putin described the Burevestnik as a “unique ware which nobody else in the world has,” confirming the “crucial testing” has concluded and instructing preparations for its future deployment infrastructure.
- This development follows a broader test of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces, with Putin asserting their “highest level” of modernity, as Russia and the United States together possess approximately 87% of the world’s nuclear weapons.
The Story So Far
- Russia is actively modernizing its strategic nuclear arsenal, developing advanced and unique weaponry, such as the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, which President Putin claims can bypass any existing or future defense system. This push is part of a broader effort to assert Russia’s military capabilities and reinforce its position in the global strategic balance, with Putin emphasizing the high level of modernity in Russia’s nuclear deterrent forces.
Why This Matters
- Russia’s successful test of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, with President Putin’s claims of its unlimited range and ability to bypass defenses, signifies a major advancement in strategic weaponry, potentially escalating the global arms race and challenging the efficacy of existing missile defense systems. This development could intensify international security concerns and prompt other nations to reassess their strategic deterrence capabilities.
Who Thinks What?
- President Putin and Russia’s Chief of the General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, assert that the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile is a unique, advanced weapon with an “essentially unlimited” range, capable of bypassing any defense system, and that its crucial testing is now complete, paving the way for its deployment.
- Some Russian specialists previously considered the Burevestnik missile improbable, indicating historical skepticism regarding its development.
Russia has successfully tested its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, a weapon President Vladimir Putin asserts can bypass any existing or future defense system. The missile, known by NATO as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall, reportedly flew 14,000 kilometers for approximately 15 hours during its October 21 test, with Moscow now announcing plans for its deployment.
Advanced Weaponry Claims
President Putin, speaking from a command point meeting with generals overseeing the conflict in Ukraine, described the Burevestnik as a “unique ware which nobody else in the world has.” He added that the “crucial testing” for the weapon, which some Russian specialists once deemed improbable, has now concluded.
Russia’s chief of the general staff, Valery Gerasimov, informed Putin that the missile’s recent test on October 21 demonstrated its capabilities, flying on nuclear power over a significant distance. Gerasimov emphasized that the missile’s range is “essentially unlimited” and capable of defeating any anti-missile defenses.
Strategic Implications
Following the successful test, Putin instructed Gerasimov on the need to classify the weapon and prepare the necessary infrastructure for its future deployment. This development underscores Russia’s ongoing efforts to modernize its strategic arsenal.
The announcement comes shortly after Putin oversaw a broader test of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces across land, sea, and air. During this exercise, which rehearsed readiness and command structures, Putin stated that the “modernity of our nuclear deterrent forces is at the highest level,” surpassing that of any other nuclear power.
Global Nuclear Landscape
According to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), Russia possesses 5,459 nuclear warheads, while the United States holds 5,177. Together, these two nations account for approximately 87% of the world’s total nuclear weapons inventory.
Putin affirmed that Russia’s strategic forces are fully capable of ensuring the national security of the Russian Federation and the Union State, reinforcing Moscow’s posture in the global strategic balance.
