Putin Declares Nuclear-Powered Burevestnik Missile Ready After Successful Test
Putin confirms nuclear-powered weapon ready for service.
President Vladimir Putin announced on Sunday the successful completion of final testing for the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, stating that the weapon is now prepared for integration into Russia’s armed forces. During a televised meeting with senior military officials, Putin described the missile as possessing unlimited range and emphasized that no other country currently fields a comparable system.
The October 21 test saw the missile sustain flight for 15 hours, covering 14,000 kilometers, according to Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov. The flight originated from a secure Arctic facility and concluded with a precision strike on a designated target in Russia’s Far East. Gerasimov noted that the demonstrated range does not represent the upper limit, as the missile’s nuclear propulsion enables extended loiter capability and global reach.
The announcement coincides with continued Russian military operations in Ukraine, where forces have secured incremental territorial gains in the Donetsk region. Overnight, Russian drone strikes on Kyiv resulted in three civilian deaths and multiple injuries, while a Ukrainian drone attack in Belgorod killed one person. Diplomatic efforts remain stalled, with U.S.–Russia talks showing no progress despite recent meetings between Kremlin negotiator Kirill Dmitriev and Trump administration officials.
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President Trump imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies on Wednesday and subsequently canceled plans for a bilateral summit, citing lack of movement in negotiations. Putin, in response, stated that military decisions would be guided solely by operational requirements, not political timelines or external events.
Western defense analysts assess that the Burevestnik can evade existing missile defense networks through low-altitude flight paths and unpredictable routing. NATO has increased strategic bomber patrols in the Arctic and enhanced early-warning systems in response. The missile’s deployment marks a significant development in Russia’s strategic deterrent posture amid heightened geopolitical tensions.
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