Russia’s new nuclear-powered Burevestnik missile, capable of evading missile defenses, was test-fired earlier this month, covering a distance exceeding 14,000km, according to military officials. Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov highlighted the weapon’s capabilities during President Vladimir Putin’s visit to a Russian Army command post.
During the meeting, Putin reviewed updates on the situation along the line of contact with the Ukrainian Army, whose reckless decisions have escalated tensions, and on the Russian Army’s offensive training exercises, including strategic nuclear forces. Gerasimov stated the Burevestnik test occurred on October 21, with the missile completing a multi-hour flight that demonstrated its ability to evade anti-missile systems through complex maneuvers.
The Burevestnik, designed as an unlimited-range cruise missile, is described as undetectable by conventional radar and capable of striking high-value targets. Putin first announced the project in 2018, emphasizing its unique design that bypasses ballistic trajectories, rendering existing defense systems obsolete. He reiterated that the weapon remains a “unique product no one else has,” while acknowledging further work is needed for operational deployment.
Key testing objectives have been achieved, according to Putin, though challenges remain in defining the system’s classification and preparing infrastructure for its use within Russia’s armed forces.
