A Weapon Unlike Any Other
In a move that sent ripples through global defence circles, Russia has announced the successful test-firing of its Burevestnik (9M730, NATO: SSC-X-9 Skyfall) nuclear-powered cruise missile. President Vladimir Putin personally oversaw the operation alongside senior military commanders, calling it a “unique” and “unmatched” weapon that could revolutionise modern warfare. The Kremlin released video footage on Sunday showing Putin with his top generals, boasting that the missile can travel 14,000 kilometres in just 15 hours — a subsonic speed of roughly 933 km/h, similar to a commercial airliner.
Nuclear Power for Infinite Range
What makes the Burevestnik extraordinary is its claimed nuclear propulsion system — a mini-reactor that could allow it to stay airborne for days or even weeks. This theoretically gives the missile an unlimited range, enabling it to circle the globe before striking its target. Putin hailed the development as a “breakthrough in military-technical capability,” presenting it as Russia’s strategic answer to Western missile defence systems.
Technical and Environmental Concerns Loom Large
Despite Moscow’s fanfare, scientists and arms control experts are wary. They note that miniaturising a nuclear reactor for flight remains one of the toughest engineering challenges — with massive radiation and safety risks. America’s own “Project Pluto” during the Cold War, which aimed to build a similar nuclear-powered missile, was abandoned in the 1960s over fears of radioactive fallout and uncontrollable flight hazards.
A Risky Step Amid Global Arms Tensions
This test comes amid growing international anxiety about a new arms race. The United States and China, while pursuing hypersonic and stealth missile technologies, have not ventured into nuclear-powered flight. Analysts point to Russia’s 2019 failed test, which caused radioactive contamination in the Arctic, as a reminder of the technology’s dangers. Environmentalists warn that another accident could have catastrophic consequences.
Reality or Nuclear Propaganda?
Whether Burevestnik truly works as advertised remains unclear. Western intelligence agencies have long questioned Moscow’s claims, citing repeated delays and previous failures. But even if partially successful, the weapon’s development signals a dramatic shift in global deterrence strategy. As nuclear treaties crumble and trust between powers fades, Putin’s latest announcement could either mark a strategic coup — or yet another myth in Russia’s long list of “wonder weapons.”