Overview
- Russia released video of Vladimir Putin receiving a briefing in which Valery Gerasimov said the missile flew about 14,000 km over roughly 15 hours on October 21 using nuclear propulsion.
- Moscow describes the 9M730 Burevestnik as a nuclear-capable, ground-launched cruise missile with near‑unlimited range and the ability to evade defenses, known by NATO as the SSC‑X‑9 Skyfall.
- Putin instructed the military to define the system’s classification and begin preparing infrastructure for potential deployment to Russia’s armed forces.
- The program has a troubled history that includes a 2019 explosion that killed nuclear specialists and raised radiation concerns, fueling skepticism about operational value and environmental risk.
- The announcement followed Russian strategic nuclear force drills across land, sea and air, underscoring deterrence messaging linked to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and strained U.S.–Russia diplomacy.