Putin Confirms Successful Test of Russia’s Nuclear-Powered Burevestnik Missile

Russia has successfully tested its nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, a groundbreaking nuclear-capable weapon designed to evade all existing defense systems, President Vladimir Putin announced on Sunday. The 9M730 Burevestnik, known by NATO as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall, reportedly traveled 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) during a 15-hour test flight on October 21, according to Russia’s top general, Valery Gerasimov.

Putin, dressed in military fatigues at a command center overseeing the war in Ukraine, called the missile “a unique weapon that no other nation possesses.” He emphasized that the test marks the completion of crucial development phases and that Russia will now move toward preparing the necessary infrastructure for its deployment. Gerasimov confirmed that the missile operated on nuclear power throughout the flight and demonstrated its ability to bypass all current and future anti-missile defense systems, showcasing near-unlimited range and unpredictable flight patterns.

The Burevestnik, also known as the "Storm Petrel," is part of Russia’s effort to modernize its strategic nuclear arsenal and reinforce its deterrence capabilities. Putin highlighted that Russia’s nuclear deterrent forces are now at “the highest level” compared to any other nuclear power. Earlier in the week, Putin personally oversaw comprehensive tests of Russia’s strategic nuclear forces across land, sea, and air to ensure operational readiness.

According to the Federation of American Scientists (FAS), Russia currently possesses 5,459 nuclear warheads, slightly more than the United States’ 5,177. Together, the two nations hold approximately 87% of the world’s nuclear weapons—an arsenal capable of global destruction multiple times over. Putin reaffirmed that Russia’s strategic forces remain fully capable of guaranteeing national and allied security, signaling a new phase in the global nuclear balance.