Russia has reported a test of its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile. Russian officials claimed a "multi-hour flight" that covered a distance of 14,000 km. The missile, first announced in 2018, is described as a low-flying experimental weapon with claims of unlimited range and the ability to evade missile defenses.
Russian Officials' Statements
Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov informed President Vladimir Putin in a televised meeting that a nuclear-powered missile had completed a multi-hour flight covering 14,000 km, stating this was "not the limit." President Putin declared that a "final successful test" of the weapon occurred in 2023. This claim has not been independently verified.
Gen. Gerasimov further stated that during a test on October 21, the missile remained airborne for 15 hours. Russia's Tass news agency reported Gen. Gerasimov's remarks that the missile's vertical and horizontal maneuvering were tested and met specifications. He was quoted by Tass as saying the missile "demonstrated high capabilities to bypass missile and air defence systems."
External Assessments and Challenges
Previous assessments by Western experts have expressed skepticism regarding the missile's strategic value and Russia's claims of successful tests. An arms control campaign group reported that out of at least 13 known tests since 2016, only two had partial success.
The utility of the missile has been a subject of discussion within military and defense circles since its announcement. A 2021 report by the US Air Force's National Air and Space Intelligence Center concluded that "A nuclear-powered cruise missile would give Russia a unique weapon with intercontinental range capability."
The International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) noted in 2021 that Russia faces significant challenges in making the weapon viable. IISS analysts indicated that the missile's integration into Russia's inventory is dependent on overcoming technical challenges, including ensuring the reliable performance of its nuclear-propulsion unit. The IISS report also referenced numerous flight-test failures and an accident that resulted in fatalities.
A Russian military journal, quoted in the IISS report, claims the missile has a range of between 10,000 and 20,000 km, which would enable it to reach targets in the continental US from anywhere in Russia. The same journal also states the missile can fly at altitudes as low as 50 to 100 meters, which could make it challenging for air defenses to intercept.
Missile Characteristics and Development
The missile, designated Skyfall by NATO, is understood to be powered by a nuclear reactor intended to activate after its launch by solid fuel rocket boosters.
A Reuters investigation last year identified a facility 475km (295 miles) north of Moscow as a potential launch site for the weapon. Analyst Decker Eveleth, using satellite imagery from August 2024, reportedly identified nine horizontal launch pads under construction at this site.