Russia Announces Effective Trial of Nuclear-Powered Storm Petrel Missile

The nation has evaluated the nuclear-powered Burevestnik strategic weapon, as reported by the state's leading commander.

"We have conducted a prolonged flight of a nuclear-powered missile and it covered a 14,000km distance, which is not the limit," Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov informed President Vladimir Putin in a televised meeting.

The low-flying advanced armament, initially revealed in recent years, has been described as having a possible global reach and the ability to bypass missile defences.

Western experts have earlier expressed skepticism over the weapon's military utility and the nation's statements of having accomplished its evaluation.

The head of state declared that a "final successful test" of the armament had been held in 2023, but the assertion was not externally confirmed. Of at least 13 known tests, only two had limited accomplishment since the mid-2010s, as per an non-proliferation organization.

The general stated the missile was in the sky for 15 hours during the trial on October 21.

He explained the missile's vertical and horizontal manoeuvring were evaluated and were determined to be up to specification, as per a national news agency.

"Consequently, it displayed advanced abilities to bypass missile and air defence systems," the outlet stated the commander as saying.

The weapon's usefulness has been the focus of heated controversy in defence and strategic sectors since it was originally disclosed in 2018.

A previous study by a American military analysis unit determined: "A nuclear-powered cruise missile would provide the nation a distinctive armament with global strike capacity."

Yet, as a global defence think tank commented the same year, Russia faces major obstacles in achieving operational status.

"Its integration into the state's stockpile arguably hinges not only on surmounting the considerable technical challenge of ensuring the consistent operation of the atomic power system," specialists stated.

"There have been several flawed evaluations, and an accident causing several deaths."

A defence publication cited in the analysis asserts the weapon has a operational radius of between a substantial span, permitting "the missile to be stationed anywhere in Russia and still be capable to strike targets in the United States mainland."

The identical publication also explains the weapon can travel as close to the ground as 50 to 100 metres above ground, making it difficult for defensive networks to stop.

The weapon, referred to as an operational name by a Western alliance, is thought to be powered by a atomic power source, which is supposed to activate after initial propulsion units have launched it into the atmosphere.

An investigation by a reporting service recently located a site 295 miles above the capital as the possible firing point of the missile.

Utilizing satellite imagery from last summer, an analyst told the agency he had identified nine horizontal launch pads being built at the location.

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