Russian President Vladimir Putin recently announced the successful testing of a new nuclear-powered missile called “Burevestnik” during a speech that covered various topics, including nuclear weapons and international relations.

Burevestnik Missile Russia’s Nuclear Missiles

This missile, known as “Storm Petrel,” has raised concerns and questions about its capabilities and reliability.

•NATO refers to the Burevestnik missile as “Skyfall,” and it has been met with skepticism by Western experts.

•President Putin first mentioned this missile in 2018, highlighting its significance in Russia’s military arsenal.

•The Burevestnik is a ground-launched, low-flying cruise missile with the capability to carry a nuclear warhead.

•What sets it apart is its nuclear propulsion, which allows it to remain airborne for an extended period and cover vast distances.

•He added that the existence of the Russian state was not under threat and “no person of sound mind and clear memory” would contemplate a nuclear strike against it.

•But he did indicate that Russia could theoretically withdraw its ratification of the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear-Test Ban Treaty. He argued that as the US had signed but never ratified it, it was possible for Russia to act in the same way.

Strategic Importance

The International Institute for Strategic Studies suggested in 2021 that the Burevestnik missile could have a theoretical range of up to 20,000 km, making it capable of striking targets in the United States from various locations in Russia. Additionally, the missile operates at a low altitude (50-100 meters), making it challenging for air-defense radar systems to detect.

Development Challenges

•The development of the Burevestnik missile has been a challenging endeavor for Russian nuclear scientists.

•There have been reported failures during tests, with a notable incident in 2019 involving an explosion and radiation leak during an experiment in the White Sea, resulting in the loss of five Russian nuclear specialists.