Russia’s test of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik missile raises international concern over renewed nuclear competition and global stability
Russia has conducted a test of a nuclear-powered cruise missile capable of traveling thousands of miles, a move that has heightened concerns about global security and signaled further deterioration in relations between Moscow and Washington.
On Sunday 26th October, Russian officials announced the successful test of the Burevestnik missile, which they claim can carry a nuclear warhead and travel more than 8,000 miles. President Vladimir Putin, appearing in military uniform, described it as “a unique product, unlike anything else in the world.”
The missile, known in the U.S. as Skyfall, has been under development for years and has experienced multiple failed tests. Experts say its renewed testing represents more of a geopolitical provocation than a genuine technological breakthrough. When Putin first unveiled a series of “invincible” weapons in 2018, Burevestnik was among them.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov defended the latest launch, stating that Russia would continue to pursue weapons development guided by its national interests, despite criticism from the West. He accused the United States of “unfriendly actions” that have complicated efforts to improve bilateral ties.
Russia’s military commander, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, claimed that the missile had flown 8,700 miles in a 15-hour test and was capable of striking any heavily protected target with “guaranteed accuracy.” Analysts, however, have expressed skepticism about these claims. Jeffrey Lewis of the Foreign Policy Research Institute noted that the missile’s subsonic speed means it could be intercepted by NATO aircraft. He warned that such developments signal an escalating arms race that offers “no victory for either side.”
Previous tests of the Burevestnik ended in failure, including a 2019 incident in which an explosion during a recovery operation released radiation and killed seven people. Decker Eveleth, a nuclear deterrence analyst at the Center for Naval Analyses, described the missile as more of a psychological weapon than a practical one. “Flying the system in a figure eight for a while doesn’t really prove it’s capable of hitting intended targets,” he wrote.
As Russia continues to test advanced nuclear-capable systems amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, arms experts warn that such actions risk destabilizing already fragile international security dynamics and fueling a new era of strategic competition between nuclear powers.
28th October 2025
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