President Vladimir Putin announced on Sunday that Russia has successfully tested its nuclear-powered intercontinental cruise missile, the Burevestnik. Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov confirmed the missile flew about 14,000 kilometers over 15 hours, demonstrating what he described as “guaranteed precision” against fortified targets at any distance.
Putin hailed the Burevestnik as a “unique weapon” unmatched globally and ordered preparations to integrate it into the Russian armed forces. The missile, part of Russia’s advanced weapons program and known by NATO as SSC-X-9 Skyfall, is said to possess near-unlimited range and the ability to bypass U.S. missile defenses.
The test follows months of speculation triggered by satellite imagery and navigation alerts suggesting an imminent launch. The Burevestnik had previously drawn global attention after a 2019 failed test caused a deadly accident in the Arctic.
The announcement coincides with continued fighting in Ukraine and heightened tensions with the United States. Putin stated that Russia’s military strategy would be guided by “rational decisions” rather than political timelines.