Russia’s experimental nuclear-powered missile, Burevestnik (It is also known as the ‘ SSC-X-9 Skyfall By NATO), is back in the global spotlight, sparking debate over its strategic value and the risks it poses.
pushing the news 
pushing the news
- Recent satellite images show that Russia is building launch facilities near a nuclear weapons storage site at Vologda, about 295 miles north of Moscow, where experts believe the missile could be deployed.
- The development, first reported by Reuters, has raised concerns about Moscow’s ambitions to operationalise the missile despite a history of failed tests and safety issues.
- Burevestnik was first exposed by the Russian President.
Vladimir Putin In 2018, who described it as part of a new generation of “invincible” weapons that could evade US missile defences and strike anywhere in the world. - Its unique propulsion system – powered by a miniature nuclear reactor – gives it virtually unlimited range, allowing it to fly at low altitudes and avoid detection. But its long and troubled test record, as well as the technical and security challenges it presents, have left many experts skeptical about its actual military value.
- Missile expert Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute reviewed the satellite images and agreed. “This picture shows something very unique, very different. It coincides with Russia’s development of a nuclear-powered missile,” he said, highlighting the site’s unusual features and its proximity to nuclear storage bunkers.
Satellite images show it to be a deployment site for a Russian nuclear-powered cruise missile.
why it matters
- The Burevestnik missile is a bold leap in technology, but its potential deployment could further complicate an already volatile global security environment.
- The missile’s ability to circumvent current missile defense systems gives it a unique capability that has concerned Western analysts, although many argue that the practical benefits of such a weapon remain questionable.
- If Burevestnik were deployed, it could further intensify the nuclear arms race, especially as U.S.-Russia arms control agreements such as New START are about to expire.
- At the same time, the missile’s unproven reliability and significant safety risks – particularly the possibility of radiation leakage from its nuclear reactor – pose a threat not only to potential adversaries but also to Russia itself.
- The missile’s subsonic speed, one of its major design flaws, makes it vulnerable to interception, reducing its intended stealth benefits. Furthermore, the risk of catastrophic failure during testing or deployment could lead to serious environmental consequences.
Two Russian aircraft used to collect data from the missile launch were parked about 100 miles south of the launch site in early August. The New York Times; satellite image by Planet Labs.
zoom in
- Burevestnik is designed around a concept that has been explored since the early days of the nuclear age: a nuclear-powered propulsion system that would allow the missile to fly indefinitely. Unlike conventional missiles that rely on limited fuel reserves, Burevestnik’s miniature nuclear reactor provides the energy needed to keep it flying for several days, potentially even allowing it to circle the world.
- The missile is launched using solid fuel boosters, which propel it into the air, where its nuclear reactor is activated to maintain its flight. In theory, the missile can fly at low altitudes to avoid radar detection while maintaining a range of about 15,000 miles (23,000 kilometers). This would enable it to reach targets anywhere in the world, far exceeding the range of existing intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).
- However, the missile’s subsonic speed – which is a byproduct of its nuclear propulsion – has raised concerns about its detectability. While it can fly longer than conventional missiles, it moves slower, giving enemy defense systems more time to track and potentially intercept it. This drawback limits the missile’s operational value compared to other Russian missile systems, such as the Sarmat ICBM, which is faster and capable of delivering multiple warheads over the same distance.
- Between 2017 and 2019, Russia conducted at least 13 known tests of the Burevestnik, most of which failed. Only two tests were reported as partial successes. In one test in 2019, the missile crashed into the White Sea, causing a catastrophic explosion that killed several Russian scientists. The incident highlighted the dangers of the missile’s nuclear-powered engine, leading experts to question whether the risks outweigh the benefits.
The Big Picture
- The potential deployment of Burevestnik is being closely watched by the US and NATO, especially after satellite imagery revealed construction activities near the Vologda-20 nuclear weapons storage facility. According to analysts, the site, located about 400 miles from Russia’s borders with Finland and Estonia, is designed for large, stationary missile systems. The development suggests that Russia is preparing to deploy Burevestnik missiles at the site in order to have them ready for launch in a short time.
- Experts are divided on whether Burevestnik will significantly change Russia’s strategic capabilities. Some argue that the missile’s ability to evade missile defense systems and fly long distances gives it a unique advantage, especially in a second-strike scenario. Others, however, are skeptical.
- One of the most significant concerns about the Burevestnik is its nuclear propulsion system. Since the missile is powered by an unguided nuclear reactor, it could spread radioactive material along its flight path or in the event of a malfunction.
- Compared to other missile systems in Russia’s arsenal, Burevestnik’s advantages appear limited. For example, the Sarmat ICBM, which also carries nuclear weapons, has a range of more than 11,000 miles (17,700 kilometers) and can deliver multiple weapons at hypersonic speeds. This makes it far more difficult to intercept than the slower Burevestnik, which can be tracked and shot down during its long flight.
- In addition, the Burevestnik’s unique propulsion system poses significant safety and reliability concerns. An explosion during a test recovery operation in 2019 underscored the dangers of handling a nuclear-powered missile.
What are they saying?
- “The
sky fall “This is a uniquely stupid weapons system, a flying Chernobyl that poses a greater threat to Russia than to other countries,” said Thomas Countryman, a former US State Department official. - Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists told Reuters that the missile would be “just as vulnerable as any cruise missile,” while analyst Jeffrey Lewis insisted, “The design of the site suggests they’re preparing for something very unique.”
- “I don’t understand Putin’s objective,” Kristensen said, referring to the missile’s uncertain strategic significance.
- According to Reuters, analyst Decker Eveleth, who identified the construction site, believes it is clearly designed for Burevestnik. “This site is for a large, stationary missile system, and the only large system they are currently developing is Skyfall,” he said, pointing to nine horizontal launch pads shielded by berms to protect them from explosions or attacks.
what will happen next
- As Russia moves closer to deploying Burevestnik, the missile’s impact on global security remains uncertain. While it may symbolize Russia’s determination to maintain its status as a nuclear superpower, its actual operational value may be limited due to its technical flaws and security issues.
- The missile’s testing history has been plagued with troubles, suggesting it may fall short of the lofty claims Putin made when he first announced it in 2018.
- Still, the development of Burevestnik could have a huge impact on the global arms race. The U.S. and Russia’s New START treaty is set to expire in 2026, so the missile could become an important bargaining tool in future arms control talks. Russian nuclear expert Pavel Podvig described the missile as a “political weapon” used by Putin to show strength and signal Russia’s willingness to challenge the West.
- As tensions between Russia and the West continue to escalate – particularly in the context of the war in Ukraine – Burevestnik’s deployment could add another layer of complexity to an already dangerous geopolitical landscape.
- However, “Burevestnik is not a miracle weapon, and the challenges it poses to NATO security are neither new nor insurmountable. It may look scary on paper, but the technical impracticability of its mission limits its threat. Much of the hype about the missile stems from Russia’s boasting of its capabilities,” Eveleth, an analyst at CNA Research, wrote in a report in Foreign Policy.
(with inputs from agencies)
