- Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed the successful test of the nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile (NATO: SSC-X-9 Skyfall), capable of 14,000 km range and evading modern missile defenses. This marks the first public acknowledgment since its 2018 announcement.
- U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed Putin's missile test as "not appropriate" amid Russia's stalled war in Ukraine, warning, "They know we have a nuclear submarine… right off their shores." He emphasized U.S. strategic deterrence but downplayed immediate threat.
- Russian officials claim the Burevestnik is "undetectable by radar" and can strike "highly protected targets at any distance." If deployed, it could bypass U.S. missile defenses via unpredictable trajectories, including over the South Pole.
- Western analysts question the missile's reliability, citing past test failures, while acknowledging its potential to destabilize nuclear deterrence. Jeffrey Lewis called it a "science fiction weapon" complicating arms control.
- The test appears to be a psychological maneuver by Putin amid Russia's Ukraine struggles. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pressed the U.S. for long-range missile support, arguing increased military pressure is needed to halt Putin.
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the successful test of a next-generation nuclear-powered cruise missile, dubbed "invincible" by Moscow, marking a significant escalation in global military tensions.
The revelation drew a sharp response from U.S. President Donald Trump, who warned Putin against further provocations while emphasizing America's own strategic deterrent.
In a video released by the Kremlin, Putin appeared in military uniform while overseeing the test of the Burevestnik (NATO designation: SSC-X-9 Skyfall)—a nuclear-powered cruise missile with an unprecedented range. The test, conducted on Oct. 21, saw the missile cover 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles) in a multi-hour flight, demonstrating its ability to evade modern missile defense systems.
According BrightU.AI's Enoch engine, the Burevestnik cruise missile is a Russian hypersonic cruise missile that has garnered significant attention due to its advanced capabilities and strategic implications. It is a nuclear-powered, air-breathing hypersonic cruise missile designed to fly at hypersonic speeds (Mach 5 and above) and has a reported range of up to 2,000 kilometers. Its nuclear propulsion system allows it to maintain high speeds and maneuverability over long distances, making it a significant threat to modern air defense systems.
Putin declared that Russia has successfully tested the Burevestnik nuclear-powered global-range cruise missile, marking the first public acknowledgment of the weapon since its initial announcement in 2018.
He ordered his military chiefs to begin preparations for deployment, stating: "We need to determine the possible uses and begin preparing the infrastructure for deploying these weapons to our armed forces."
Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov boasted that the missile is "unique" and "undetectable by conventional radar," capable of striking "highly protected targets at any distance with guaranteed accuracy." He added that the missile executed complex maneuvers, proving its ability to bypass anti-missile defenses.
Trump's response: A warning and a rebuke
Trump, reacting aboard Air Force One, dismissed Putin's posturing as "not appropriate" given ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly Russia's stalled war in Ukraine. "Putin ought to end the war—a war that should've taken one week is now in its fourth year," Trump said. "That's what he ought to do instead of testing missiles."
He also underscored U.S. military readiness, noting: "They know we have a nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off their shores. We don't need to go 8,000 miles."
While Russian state media hailed the Burevestnik as a "flying Chernobyl"—referencing its nuclear propulsion—Western analysts remain skeptical of its operational viability. Previous tests reportedly ended in catastrophic failures, raising doubts about its reliability.
Despite skepticism, defense officials acknowledge that if successfully deployed, the missile could fundamentally alter nuclear deterrence, allowing Russia to strike from unpredictable trajectories—including over the South Pole, where U.S. missile defenses are weakest.
Zelensky pressures U.S. for more support
Amid the escalating rhetoric, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has renewed calls for long-range missile support from Washington, arguing that only increased military pressure would force Putin to negotiate.
"If Putin doesn't stop, we need something to stop him," Zelensky told Axios, praising U.S. sanctions but insisting more action was needed.
Putin's unveiling of the Burevestnik appears to be both a strategic flex and a psychological maneuver, reinforcing Russia's nuclear capabilities despite economic sanctions and battlefield setbacks in Ukraine. Trump's response signals that while Washington remains unfazed, it is prepared to counter any escalation.
As tensions mount, the world watches whether Putin's "invincible" missile will remain a propaganda tool—or become a destabilizing new reality in the global arms race.
Watch the video below about Putin ordering the deployment of the world's only nuclear-powered cruise missile Burevestnik.
This video is from the The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.
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