Putin Announces Burevestnik 'Decisive' Tests, Deployment Plans

Russia announced it had completed “decisive” tests of the nuclear‑powered 9M730 Burevestnik (NATO: SSC‑X‑9 Skyfall) and has begun preparations to deploy the system, with President Vladimir Putin praising it as a “unique” weapon. Chief of the general staff Valery Gerasimov told Putin the missile flew about 14,000 km and remained airborne for roughly 15 hours during an Oct. 21 test. Russian officials said the missile’s compact nuclear reactor gives it an effectively unlimited range, an unpredictable flight path and the ability to defeat current and future missile defenses. The announcement was made during a televised command meeting with Putin in camouflage, and officials ordered the weapon classified and infrastructure built for service entry. The military briefing also included Kremlin‑reported, unverified claims that Russian forces had encircled Ukrainian troops near Pokrovsk and Kupiansk; Moscow presented the tests as strengthening its strategic deterrent and the development has drawn international concern about nuclear‑powered weapons.