Putin Confirms Russian Test of Nuclear-Powered Burevestnik Cruise Missile with Unlimited Range
Amid rising geopolitical tensions and a protracted war in Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has confirmed the successful test of the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile -- a weapon Moscow claims has unlimited range and unprecedented strike capabilities.
Speaking at a frontline military command centre, Putin said that the test flight of the missile -- officially codenamed “Burevestnik” (Storm Petrel) -- was completed on October 21 and demonstrated “the reliability of Russia’s nuclear deterrent.”
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| Image Source: MFA Russia |
The Burevestnik is part of Russia’s next-generation strategic weapons program, first announced in 2018, and designed to bypass U.S. missile defence systems by flying at low altitudes and altering course mid-flight.
Unlike conventional missiles, it is powered by a miniature nuclear reactor, theoretically allowing it to remain airborne for extended periods and strike targets anywhere on the globe.
Congratulations to all Russia's friends on the successful test of the unlimited-range Burevestnik (Storm petrel) cruise missile with a nuclear engine and warhead ⚡️😃
— Dmitry Medvedev (@MedvedevRussiaE) October 26, 2025
General Valery Gerasimov, Russia’s Chief of the General Staff, said the missile “successfully performed all vertical and horizontal manoeuvres” during its flight, demonstrating “high survivability against missile defence systems.”
He confirmed the Burevestnik uses a nuclear propulsion engine and described the test as “a major step forward in operational readiness.”
Putin added that “this is a unique system, there is nothing like it in the world today,” and instructed military officials to begin defining its classification, explore potential deployment strategies, and start developing infrastructure for placing it on operational duty.
“The key objectives of the program have now been achieved,” he said.
The test has not been independently verified. However, analysts say that if true, it represents a destabilising escalation in the global arms race, especially amid heightened tensions with NATO, continued nuclear signalling from Moscow, and the erosion of key arms control agreements like New START.
#BREAKING: Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia has successfully tested a new nuclear capable cruise missile, in what he calls a major advancement for the country’s strategic deterrence.#Burevestnik #Putin #Russia #NuclearMissile #Defense pic.twitter.com/pqJIFDOpyS
— upuknews (@upuknews1) October 26, 2025
Previous test attempts of the Burevestnik reportedly ended in failure, including a 2019 accident that killed five Russian scientists. The missile’s potential radioactive footprint has also raised major concerns among Western experts.
⚡️ President #Putin:
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) October 26, 2025
I would ask the Chief of the General Staff to report on #Burevestnik nuclear-powered unlimited-range missile - a unique weapon that no other country has
Substantial work has to be done in order to place this weapon on combat dutyhttps://t.co/cOO4KREYlm pic.twitter.com/jcADAtVBDh
The Kremlin’s timing is no accident. As conventional military pressure mounts in Ukraine and Moscow seeks to project strength on the global stage, the successful test of an “unlimited range” nuclear-capable missile sends a deliberate signal that Russia’s strategic deterrent is evolving.
Neither the Pentagon nor NATO has formally responded. The U.S. previously described the Burevestnik as “still in development” and “not yet operational.”
🧵1/5 The 9M730 Burevestnik, also known as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall, is a nuclear-armed, nuclear-powered cruise missile developed by Russia. It is designed for long-range strikes, claiming it has virtually unlimited range due to its unique propulsion system. #Burevestnik #Russia pic.twitter.com/cBrxzDUdr6
— The Inquiry (@InquiryTh) October 26, 2025
Putin’s latest remarks, however, suggest Moscow intends to change that.
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