Russia has announced the successful testing of its nuclear‑powered cruise missile, the 9M730 Burevestnik, a weapon NATO refers to as Skyfall. According to Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov, the missile flew for nearly 15 hours, covering a distance of about 14,000 kilometers during a trial conducted on 21 October.
The missile, first unveiled by President Vladimir Putin in 2018, is designed to fly at low altitudes and maneuver in ways that could bypass modern air and missile defense systems. Russian officials describe it as having an “unlimited range” due to its nuclear propulsion system, which activates after initial launch boosters.
Despite Moscow’s claims, Western analysts remain skeptical. Independent verification of the test has not been possible, and past trials have been plagued by technical failures. Arms control groups note that out of at least 13 known attempts since 2016, only a handful achieved partial success. A 2021 assessment by the US Air Force’s National Air and Space Intelligence Center suggested that, if operational, the missile could provide Russia with a unique intercontinental strike capability.
However, experts at the International Institute of Strategic Studies (IISS) caution that the program faces significant hurdles. They highlight the challenge of ensuring reliable nuclear propulsion and point to previous accidents, including one that reportedly caused fatalities.
Russian military publications have claimed the Burevestnik could reach 10,000 to 20,000 kilometers, allowing it to strike targets across continents while flying as low as 50 to 100 meters above ground altitudes that make interception extremely difficult.
Satellite imagery analyzed by Reuters in 2024 identified a facility north of Moscow as a likely testing ground, with multiple launch pads under construction.
While the Kremlin hails the missile as a breakthrough, its strategic value and safety remain hotly debated. For now, the Burevestnik symbolizes both Russia’s ambition to outpace Western defenses and the uncertainty surrounding nuclear‑powered weapons technology.