Overview
- Putin released a video on Oct. 26 claiming a successful Oct. 21 flight of the 9M730 Burevestnik that lasted about 15 hours and covered roughly 14,000 kilometers.
- He directed the military to start building infrastructure for potential fielding, as commanders weigh how to classify the system within Russia’s arsenal.
- Russian officials assert the missile’s near‑unlimited range and unpredictable path make it effectively immune to current and future missile defenses.
- The announcement followed Russian strategic nuclear drills, while Ukraine reported a major overnight drone barrage on Kyiv that killed three and injured dozens.
- Western analysts voiced skepticism about practicality and safety, pointing to past test setbacks and the 2019 explosion linked to the program.