Moscow Announces Effective Test of Reactor-Driven Burevestnik Missile

The nation has evaluated the atomic-propelled Burevestnik cruise missile, as reported by the nation's leading commander.

"We have executed a prolonged flight of a nuclear-powered missile and it covered a 14,000km distance, which is not the limit," Chief of General Staff the commander reported to the Russian leader in a broadcast conference.

The terrain-hugging prototype missile, originally disclosed in the past decade, has been hailed as having a possible global reach and the capability to avoid missile defences.

Foreign specialists have earlier expressed skepticism over the projectile's tactical importance and Moscow's assertions of having effectively trialed it.

The national leader said that a "final successful test" of the weapon had been conducted in 2023, but the assertion lacked outside validation. Of at least 13 known tests, merely a pair had moderate achievement since several years ago, according to an non-proliferation organization.

The military leader said the missile was in the air for 15 hours during the evaluation on 21 October.

He noted the missile's vertical and horizontal manoeuvring were tested and were found to be meeting requirements, according to a national news agency.

"Consequently, it displayed high capabilities to bypass missile and air defence systems," the news agency stated the general as saying.

The weapon's usefulness has been the focus of heated controversy in defence and strategic sectors since it was first announced in 2018.

A previous study by a American military analysis unit concluded: "An atomic-propelled strategic weapon would give Russia a distinctive armament with worldwide reach potential."

Yet, as an international strategic institute commented the same year, Moscow encounters considerable difficulties in achieving operational status.

"Its integration into the nation's arsenal arguably hinges not only on resolving the considerable technical challenge of securing the consistent operation of the reactor drive mechanism," experts noted.

"There were several flawed evaluations, and an accident leading to a number of casualties."

A defence publication quoted in the study claims the projectile has a operational radius of between a substantial span, enabling "the missile to be deployed across the country and still be able to strike goals in the American territory."

The identical publication also says the projectile can travel as low as a very low elevation above the earth, rendering it challenging for aerial protection systems to intercept.

The projectile, referred to as Skyfall by a foreign security organization, is thought to be driven by a reactor system, which is designed to activate after primary launch mechanisms have launched it into the sky.

An inquiry by a news agency recently identified a location a considerable distance north of Moscow as the likely launch site of the missile.

Using space-based photos from the recent past, an expert told the outlet he had observed nine horizontal launch pads under construction at the facility.

Associated Updates

• National Leader Approves Revisions to Strategic Guidelines