Russia Tests Nuclear-powered Cruise Missile, Burevestnik

Russia has tested its nuclear-powered cruise missile Burevestnik (“Storm Petrel” in Russian), President Vladimir Putin said Sunday, as Moscow positions the weapon as a strategic asset that could bypass United States and NATO missile defenses.

Putin first announced in 2018 that Russia might develop a “low-flying, stealthy cruise missile with virtually unlimited range,” adding the system had now completed decisive tests. “Much work remains to be done to put this weapon on combat alert, that’s clear. All the regulations need to be met. Nevertheless, the key objectives have now been achieved,” Putin said, according to Russian media reports.

During the briefing, Putin instructed Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov to determine the missile’s class and operational deployment plans.

Gerasimov reported that the Burevestnik flew for several hours on October 21, covering 14,000 kilometers while remaining airborne for about 15 hours. He said the missile is nuclear-powered and conducted vertical and horizontal maneuvers during flight, demonstrating capabilities for evading air-defense and missile-defense systems. “Its technical specifications allow it to be used with guaranteed accuracy against highly protected targets at any range,” Gerasimov said.

Russian state media have described the Burevestnik, also known as Storm Petrel and designated by NATO as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall, as nuclear-powered, nuclear-capable and capable of flying at very low altitude, reportedly 50–100 meters. According to earlier unconfirmed Russian military publications, the weapon could have a notional range of up to 20,000 kilometers.

“It is truly a unique weapon, one that no other country in the world possesses,” Putin was quoted by The Moscow Times as saying.

Chinese military experts cited in Global Times said the missile’s “very large” range carries strategic implications. Wang Yanan, chief editor of Aerospace Knowledge magazine, said its actual performance still requires more data but noted that its range surpasses most operational cruise missiles. Wang also warned of risks of nuclear contamination if a malfunction or interception occurred.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military affairs commentator, called Burevestnik a “nontraditional weapon system” and said its nuclear propulsion theoretically enables unlimited range, creating a new category of deterrence if a missile can “patrol tens of thousands of kilometers, striking anywhere or choosing not to strike at all.”

Analysts referenced in the provided data noted Russia intends the missile to bypass U.S. missile-defense programs, including concepts aimed at intercepting weapons in space. The system is being presented as part of Russia’s strategic forces, following the deployment of Zircon (Tsirkon), Kinzhal, and Avangard weapons previously unveiled by Putin.

However, the data also noted questions regarding a subsonic cruise missile’s vulnerability during long-duration flight, since such systems can be engaged by air and ground defenses.