Moscow Announces Accomplished Trial of Nuclear-Powered Burevestnik Weapon

The nation has evaluated the atomic-propelled Burevestnik strategic weapon, as reported by the nation's top military official.

"We have conducted a prolonged flight of a atomic-propelled weapon and it covered a 14,000km distance, which is not the ultimate range," Senior Military Leader Valery Gerasimov informed the head of state in a televised meeting.

The low-flying advanced armament, first announced in recent years, has been described as having a possible global reach and the capability to bypass anti-missile technology.

International analysts have in the past questioned over the missile's strategic value and the nation's statements of having accomplished its evaluation.

The national leader stated that a "final successful test" of the missile had been carried out in the previous year, but the assertion lacked outside validation. Of over a dozen recorded evaluations, merely a pair had partial success since the mid-2010s, as per an disarmament advocacy body.

Gen Gerasimov reported the projectile was in the air for fifteen hours during the test on the specified date.

He explained the weapon's altitude and course adjustments were assessed and were determined to be up to specification, based on a domestic media outlet.

"As a result, it exhibited advanced abilities to bypass missile and air defence systems," the news agency quoted the commander as saying.

The weapon's usefulness has been the topic of intense debate in military and defence circles since it was initially revealed in 2018.

A previous study by a US Air Force intelligence center concluded: "A nuclear-powered cruise missile would give Russia a unique weapon with intercontinental range capability."

Nonetheless, as an international strategic institute commented the corresponding time, Russia faces significant challenges in making the weapon viable.

"Its induction into the nation's inventory arguably hinges not only on surmounting the substantial engineering obstacle of ensuring the dependable functioning of the atomic power system," experts stated.

"There were multiple unsuccessful trials, and a mishap resulting in several deaths."

A defence publication quoted in the analysis states the projectile has a range of between a substantial span, enabling "the weapon to be deployed anywhere in Russia and still be able to strike objectives in the American territory."

The same journal also explains the weapon can fly as close to the ground as 50 to 100 metres above the surface, causing complexity for aerial protection systems to intercept.

The missile, referred to as Skyfall by an international defence pact, is thought to be propelled by a reactor system, which is designed to engage after primary launch mechanisms have launched it into the air.

An investigation by a reporting service recently located a site a considerable distance from the city as the likely launch site of the missile.

Using satellite imagery from August 2024, an specialist told the outlet he had detected nine horizontal launch pads being built at the facility.

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