Russia's Probable Deployment of Burevestnik Nuclear Missile

By G. Mudalige, Jadetimes Staff

G. Mudalige is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Technology & Innovation

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Image Source : Planet Labs PBC

Recent satellite imagery suggests Russia is advancing the deployment of the 9M730 Burevestnik, a nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile. This weapon, also known as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall by NATO, has been described by President Vladimir Putin as having an "almost unlimited range" and the capability to evade U.S. missile defenses.

The identified deployment site is near Vologda-20, a nuclear warhead storage facility located 295 miles north of Moscow. The construction project includes nine horizontal launch pads, possibly indicating preparations for Burevestnik. Despite some skepticism, experts believe the site’s unique layout suggests it’s intended for a large, fixed missile system.While Putin touts Burevestnik as a game-changing weapon, many Western experts question its strategic value. The missile has a poor test record, with only two partial successes out of at least 13 known tests since 2016. The missile’s design and nuclear-powered engine raise concerns about potential radiation hazards, both in testing and deployment.

Experts argue that Burevestnik’s deployment poses significant risks, including the possibility of a radiation-spewing mishap. Moreover, its effectiveness in altering the nuclear balance is doubtful, given its subsonic speed and vulnerability over long flight durations.stnik could have significant implications for global security.