Putin Hails Russia’s New Nuclear Cruise Missile as Unmatched Globally
Russian President Vladimir Putin has described the new ‘Burevestnik’ nuclear cruise missile as a weapon with no global equivalent, during a visit to the headquarters overseeing Russian forces involved in the Ukraine conflict. He claimed the missile has a range of over 14,000 kilometers and can evade enemy defense systems.
Putin said key tests of the missile system had been successfully completed, though important steps remain before it is ready for combat deployment. He emphasized that training for Russia’s strategic nuclear forces is ongoing and described the country’s nuclear deterrent as ‘reliable.’
The Kremlin leader, accompanied by top military officials including Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, reviewed the situation on various fronts in eastern Ukraine. He stated that the encirclement of areas such as Kupiansk and Pokrovsk-Myrnohrad was achieved through the ‘heroism of Russian soldiers’ and claimed that thousands of Ukrainian troops have ‘surrendered’ in these areas.
Putin has also ordered the Russian military to prepare the necessary infrastructure for the deployment of the Burevestnik missile. According to Gerasimov, during an October 21 test, the missile remained in flight for 15 hours and reached a range of 14,000 kilometers.
Addressing military commanders, Putin reiterated that the destruction of Ukrainian armed groups remains a top priority for the Russian military. He noted that no specific timeline has been set for concluding operations, with decisions to be made based on military necessity.
As the war in Ukraine enters a critical phase and countries across the globe express concern about rising nuclear tensions, Putin’s remarks on Russia’s nuclear capabilities have further heightened fears of an escalating conflict. Such statements increasingly complicate prospects for a political resolution to the crisis.
