Russia Tests Nuclear-Powered Burevestnik Missile Capable of Flying 14,000km

Russia has successfully tested its long-range, nuclear-powered Burevestnik cruise missile, Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov has announced, marking a significant step in Moscow’s bid to enhance its strategic weapons arsenal.

Speaking during a televised meeting with President Vladimir Putin, Gen. Gerasimov revealed that the missile had completed a multi-hour flight, covering a distance of 14,000 kilometres (8,700 miles) — a range he said was “not the limit.”

“We have launched a multi-hour flight of a nuclear-powered missile and it covered a 14,000km distance, which is not the limit,” Gerasimov told Putin.

The Burevestnik, first unveiled by Putin in 2018, is designed to be a low-flying, nuclear-powered cruise missile capable of remaining airborne for extended periods and evading missile defence systems. Russian officials have hailed it as a revolutionary weapon with virtually unlimited range.

However, Western defence analysts have long expressed skepticism about both the missile’s feasibility and its strategic practicality. Critics argue that the complex nuclear propulsion system poses significant safety and reliability concerns, and that the missile’s development may be more symbolic than operational.

If confirmed, the successful test would represent a major advancement in Russia’s strategic weapons programme amid heightened global tensions and renewed nuclear arms competition with the West.

The test comes as global powers, including the United States and China, continue to modernize their nuclear arsenals and missile capabilities, raising concerns about a potential new arms race.

While Moscow has yet to release footage or independent verification of the Burevestnik test, the announcement underscores Russia’s continued emphasis on showcasing technological superiority and deterrence in its defense strategy.