Putin Confirms Successful Test Of Nuclear-Powered Burevestnik Missile As Trump Pushes For Ukraine Peace Deal

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Sunday (October 26, 2025) that Russia has successfully tested its nuclear-powered intercontinental cruise missile, the Burevestnik, describing it as a weapon with capabilities unmatched by any other nation.

The declaration adds a new dimension to the ongoing tensions between Moscow and the West, coming at a time when Russia’s military continues its slow, grinding advance in Ukraine and diplomatic efforts for peace remain at an impasse.

What was the result of the missile test?

According to Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov, the missile test took place last Tuesday (October 21) and lasted roughly 15 hours, during which the Burevestnik flew 14,000 kilometers (8,700 miles).

Gerasimov briefed Putin that the missile demonstrated “guaranteed precision” against highly protected targets located at any range.

“The technical characteristics of the Burevestnik allow it to be used with guaranteed precision against highly protected sites located at any distance,” Gerasimov said.

What were Putin’s remarks on the missile test?

Putin hailed the test as a breakthrough for Russia’s defence capabilities. “It is truly a unique weapon, one that no other country in the world possesses,” he declared during a visit to a command center overseeing Russia’s joint group of forces.

He also ordered officials to prepare infrastructure to deploy the Burevestnik into operational service with the Russian armed forces.

Why is the missile test controversial?

The Burevestnik, designated by NATO as SSC-X-9 Skyfall, has been one of the most secretive and controversial components of Russia’s strategic weapons programme.

First unveiled by Putin in 2018, the missile is designed to carry a nuclear warhead and features a nuclear propulsion system, which theoretically gives it an “almost unlimited range.”

Why did the missile development stall?

Putin had boasted at the time that the missile could evade any existing US or NATO missile defence systems, calling it “invincible.” However, the programme suffered major setbacks, including a 2019 testing accident in the Arctic that killed several engineers during a recovery operation.

Recent satellite imagery and international navigation warnings had indicated renewed testing activity at Russia’s northern test ranges. The latest announcement appears to confirm that Moscow has now achieved what it considers a successful, full-range flight of the missile.

Is the missile test a strategic signal amid the Ukraine war?

The timing of Putin’s announcement is seen by analysts as both a show of strength and a political message. Russian forces have been making incremental gains in eastern Ukraine, capturing several contested settlements in recent weeks, though at high human and material cost.

Despite the prolonged fighting, peace negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv have stalled, even as former US President Donald Trump has sought to play a mediator role. Trump, who has promised to “end the war within 24 hours” if reelected, has been engaged in intermittent discussions with Russian officials.

What is West’s frustration over Putin?

However, frustration appeared to spill over last week when Trump imposed new sanctions on Russia’s two largest oil companies, accusing Moscow of “dragging its feet” in the talks.

“My discussions with Putin don’t go anywhere,” Trump reportedly said on Wednesday (October 22), expressing irritation over the lack of progress.

Why has Putin dismissed negotiations?

Putin, for his part, dismissed suggestions that Russia’s military operations or negotiations would be tied to any external timelines or political developments.

“We are not going to align anything with any dates or events,” he said on Sunday (October 26). “We will base our actions on military rationality.”

His remarks underline Moscow’s continued insistence that its objectives in Ukraine will be pursued at its own pace, and that Russia will not be pressured into concessions, even amid Western sanctions and battlefield fatigue.

What was Putin’s message to the West?

By publicly confirming the successful test of the Burevestnik, the Kremlin appears intent on reinforcing Russia’s nuclear deterrent narrative, signaling that its long-range strike capabilities remain intact despite the economic and military strains of the Ukraine conflict.

For Washington and NATO, the test serves as a reminder that Russia’s modernisation of its nuclear arsenal continues apace, complicating arms control efforts and raising global security concerns.

As Putin puts it, Russia’s new missile is “a unique weapon,” one that not only extends Moscow’s strategic reach but also deepens the geopolitical fault lines shaping the world’s most dangerous standoff in decades.