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President Vladimir Putin of Russia announced on Sunday that a final test of the new nuclear-powered cruise missile, the Burevestnik, was successful, occurring amidst Moscow’s ongoing military operations in Ukraine and uncertainty regarding a potential summit with U.S. President Donald Trump.
“The decisive tests are now complete,” Putin said in a video released by the Kremlin during a meeting with military officials.
He ordered the preparation of “infrastructure to bring this weapon into service within the Russian armed forces.”
Putin described the missile as a “unique creation that no one else globally possesses,” emphasising that the Burevestnik has an “unlimited range.”
During the most recent test on October 21, the missile flew for approximately 15 hours, covering a distance of 14,000 kilometres (8,700 miles), according to Russia’s military chief of staff, Valery Gerasimov, who noted that this was not the weapon’s maximum capability.
“The technical characteristics of the Burevestnik allow it to be used with guaranteed precision against highly protected sites located at any distance,” he said.
Putin first revealed the Russian military’s development of these missiles in 2018, stating that they could bypass all defence systems, citing a perceived threat from the United States.
Seven years later, the announcement of a successful final test emerges as Russian forces gradually gain ground in Ukraine, pushing through Kyiv’s defences in intense battles that come at a high cost.
Negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv have stalled, despite Trump’s mediation attempts, with Trump asserting he could swiftly conclude the war upon his return to the presidency in January.
On Wednesday, Trump imposed sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, expressing frustration that his discussions with Putin to resolve the Ukraine conflict “don’t lead anywhere.”
On Saturday, Trump downplayed the likelihood of a new summit with Putin, stating he was “not going to be wasting my time.”
These comments came as Kremlin negotiator Kirill Dmitriev met with officials from the Trump administration on Friday and Saturday, according to a Russian source familiar with the discussions, with talks expected to resume on Sunday.
Putin indicated on Sunday that he did not intend to set a timeline for ending the conflict.
In a separate incident, a Russian drone strike on Kyiv resulted in three fatalities and numerous injuries, as reported by the mayor of the Ukrainian capital on Sunday.
Additionally, in the Belgorod region of Russia, a Ukrainian drone attack resulted in one death and one injury, according to the local governor.
