Russia has successfully tested its nuclear-capable cruise missile, Burevestnik, which has drawn international attention due to its unique capabilities and the controversies surrounding its development. The cruise missile, dubbed “Skyfall” by NATO planners, was test-fired last week. During that flight, it was unbelievably operated by nuclear power for 15 hours.
The recent test did confirm that Burevestnik can fly for a very extended period without reaching its airtime ceiling. Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, General Valery Gerasimov, alluded to this accomplishment. As President Vladimir Putin said the other day, it’s time to start considering how these weapons might be put to use. He underscored the need to get the infrastructure in place to rapidly field them to our military.
In 2018, Putin unveiled Burevestnik to the world during his dramatic state-of-the-nation address. He went so far as to declare that this missile would be of such an extraordinary range it would be able to circle the globe and avoid interception by today’s missile defense. The irregular, erratic flight path and radar-evading capabilities of Burevestnik have sent shockwaves to military experts. They contend that these features might render the weapon difficult to control in combat scenarios.
Despite its technological achievements, Burevestnik has not escaped the storm clouds of controversy. Environmental watchdogs have been sounding the alarm about the threats that the missile’s development brings to the environment. They warn about the dangers and consequences of nuclear propelled weapons. Burevestnik’s testing history has been notorious for its associated tragedy. After an explosion during an August 2019 test killed five nuclear engineers and two service members, it led to worries over a potential radiation leak in the nearby city.
Although the nuclear blast led to a momentary increase in dangerous radioactivity, it has sparked widespread concern about the safety measures and emergency preparedness surrounding the missile’s production. Experts have not stopped sounding alarm bells over these weapons’ environmental implications, especially considering their nuclear nature.
