Russia Announces Accomplished Test of Atomic-Propelled Burevestnik Weapon

Russia has tested the nuclear-powered Burevestnik strategic weapon, as reported by the nation's top military official.

"We have conducted a prolonged flight of a atomic-propelled weapon and it covered a 14,000km distance, which is not the limit," Chief of General Staff the commander reported to the Russian leader in a public appearance.

The terrain-hugging experimental weapon, initially revealed in 2018, has been described as having a potentially unlimited range and the ability to avoid anti-missile technology.

Foreign specialists have previously cast doubt over the missile's strategic value and Moscow's assertions of having accomplished its evaluation.

The head of state said that a "final successful test" of the weapon had been held in last year, but the claim could not be independently verified. Of over a dozen recorded evaluations, only two had partial success since several years ago, based on an disarmament advocacy body.

The general reported the projectile was in the atmosphere for fifteen hours during the evaluation on October 21.

He explained the weapon's altitude and course adjustments were evaluated and were confirmed as up to specification, as per a local reporting service.

"Consequently, it displayed advanced abilities to evade missile and air defence systems," the news agency quoted the commander as saying.

The weapon's usefulness has been the topic of vigorous discussion in military and defence circles since it was originally disclosed in recent years.

A previous study by a American military analysis unit stated: "A nuclear-powered cruise missile would give Russia a unique weapon with intercontinental range capability."

However, as a foreign policy research organization noted the corresponding time, the nation confronts considerable difficulties in achieving operational status.

"Its induction into the state's inventory likely depends not only on resolving the significant development hurdle of guaranteeing the consistent operation of the nuclear-propulsion unit," analysts noted.

"There occurred numerous flight-test failures, and an accident resulting in several deaths."

A military journal referenced in the report states the missile has a operational radius of between 6,200 and 12,400 miles, enabling "the projectile to be based anywhere in Russia and still be equipped to reach objectives in the continental US."

The same journal also notes the weapon can travel as close to the ground as 50 to 100 metres above ground, causing complexity for air defences to engage.

The missile, code-named Skyfall by an international defence pact, is believed to be driven by a nuclear reactor, which is supposed to commence operation after solid fuel rocket boosters have launched it into the air.

An inquiry by a news agency the previous year identified a location 295 miles above the capital as the possible firing point of the missile.

Using space-based photos from August 2024, an specialist informed the outlet he had detected multiple firing positions being built at the site.

Connected News

• Head of State Endorses Revisions to Nuclear Doctrine