Russia develops next-generation nuclear-powered cruise missiles

Russia has announced it is developing a new generation of nuclear-powered cruise missiles called Burevestnik, President Vladimir Putin said during an award ceremony for weapons developers at the Kremlin.

Putin said the new missiles will travel at speeds more than three times the speed of sound and may even become hypersonic (faster than five times the speed of sound) in the future. “All our plans to develop advanced weapons and modernize the Russian army and navy are moving forward,” he added.

The announcement highlights Russia’s ongoing focus on nuclear-powered weapons. While the country already has intercontinental ballistic missiles, it is now developing additional nuclear-capable systems, including the Burevestnik cruise missile and the Poseidon unmanned underwater drone.

“The Burevestnik has surpassed all known missile systems in the world in terms of flight range,” Putin said, calling the weapons “historic for Russia and for the entire 21st century.” He also mentioned that a NATO vessel was nearby during a Burevestnik test on October 21, and Russia did not interfere with its operations.

The Poseidon drone, which travels underwater, is designed to move at high speeds, operate at great depths, and cover intercontinental distances. Russia has also recently launched the Khabarovsk nuclear submarine, built to deploy such weapons.

In addition to these developments, Russia is producing the Avangard strategic missile system and the Oreshnik intermediate-range missile, as well as equipping existing intercontinental and submarine missiles with advanced warheads.

Russia’s focus on nuclear-powered weapons shows that it continues to prioritize long-range, advanced military systems, even as traditional intercontinental missiles remain in service.