Moscow Reports Accomplished Evaluation of Atomic-Propelled Burevestnik Cruise Missile

Moscow has trialed the reactor-driven Burevestnik cruise missile, according to the state's leading commander.

"We have conducted a prolonged flight of a atomic-propelled weapon and it covered a 14,000km distance, which is not the limit," Chief of General Staff the commander told the head of state in a broadcast conference.

The low-flying prototype missile, first announced in recent years, has been described as having a theoretically endless flight path and the ability to avoid missile defences.

Foreign specialists have earlier expressed skepticism over the missile's strategic value and the nation's statements of having successfully tested it.

The head of state declared that a "concluding effective evaluation" of the missile had been conducted in 2023, but the claim lacked outside validation. Of at least 13 known tests, just two instances had limited accomplishment since several years ago, based on an disarmament advocacy body.

Gen Gerasimov reported the projectile was in the atmosphere for a significant duration during the trial on the specified date.

He explained the missile's vertical and horizontal manoeuvring were evaluated and were found to be complying with standards, based on a domestic media outlet.

"As a result, it demonstrated advanced abilities to evade anti-missile and aerial protection," the media source stated the commander as saying.

The projectile's application has been the topic of heated controversy in military and defence circles since it was first announced in 2018.

A previous study by a foreign defence research body concluded: "A nuclear-powered cruise missile would provide the nation a singular system with intercontinental range capability."

Nonetheless, as an international strategic institute commented the identical period, Moscow confronts considerable difficulties in developing a functional system.

"Its entry into the state's inventory arguably hinges not only on surmounting the significant development hurdle of ensuring the reliable performance of the reactor drive mechanism," analysts stated.

"There have been numerous flight-test failures, and an incident leading to multiple fatalities."

A defence publication referenced in the study states the missile has a range of between 10,000 and 20,000km, allowing "the weapon to be deployed throughout the nation and still be able to target objectives in the American territory."

The corresponding source also explains the weapon can operate as at minimal altitude as 50 to 100 metres above the earth, rendering it challenging for air defences to engage.

The weapon, designated Skyfall by an international defence pact, is believed to be propelled by a atomic power source, which is designed to commence operation after initial propulsion units have launched it into the atmosphere.

An investigation by a reporting service recently located a location 475km from the city as the likely launch site of the weapon.

Employing satellite imagery from the recent past, an specialist told the outlet he had identified multiple firing positions being built at the location.