Ahead of the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, Russia is preparing for a major surprise for the world.
Multiple media reports have claimed that Russia is testing the 9M730 Burevestnik— a new nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile—touted earlier by Putin as ‘invincible’.
According to the Defense Romania outlet, the test would be conducted on August 12 at the Novaya Zemlya archipelago—located 1,000 kilometres east of Finland, and 500 km northeast of Norway.
Notably, the archipelago has been a Russian nuclear test site since the Cold War.
The Russian authorities have deployed ships and aircraft to measure the radiation levels and record the test results.
Since the missile has a nuclear reactor as a power source, its range is said to be unlimited.
Information on the missile’s technology is scarce, but the missile is believed to use a conventional engine for launch, after which it activates a small nuclear reactor.
The flying 'Chernobyl'
This reactor superheats the incoming air, generating sustained propulsion and giving it, on paper, an “unlimited” intercontinental range.
In comparison, Russia’s longest-range liquid-fuelled cruise missile, the Kh-102 has a claimed maximum range of 4,500 kilometres.
According to the United States Air Force’s National Air and Space Intelligence Center report, if Burevestnik were to enter service, it would give Russia a “unique weapon with intercontinental-range capability.”
If the test becomes successful, Russia will be the first country in history to have an operational cruise missile carrying a nuclear warhead that moves on a nuclear propulsion system.
Reports indicate that Russia has had a poor test record with the cruise missile.
Since 2016, 13 known tests have taken place, of which there have been only two partial successes.
Experts have also raised doubts about the efficacy of the missile.
Critics have warned that the missile’s large size, believed to be over 12 meters, subsonic speed, and emission of radioactive material from its exhaust mean it could be detectable and vulnerable to short-range missile defences.
For instance, Russia’s other subsonic land-attack cruise missiles have been reportedly intercepted in the Ukraine War.
Also, the cruise missile has been dubbed the “flying Chernobyl”, as it emits radiation along its flight path.
Experts say that its deployment risks an accident that could contaminate the surrounding region.
The United States tested cruise missiles with nuclear engines back in the 1960s. But it halted the experimentation mid-way due to concerns over radioactive pollution that would result from the deployment.
Surprisingly, the Burevestnik's deployment is not banned by the New START treaty, the last U.S.-Russian accord limiting strategic nuclear weapon deployments, which expires in February 2026.
A provision allows Washington to request negotiations with Moscow on bringing the Burevestnik under the caps, but a State Department spokesperson earlier told Reuters that no such talks had been sought.
Putin-Trump talks
Nevertheless, the timing of the testing is not coincidental. It is taking place days ahead of the Alaska meeting between Trump and Putin on August 15 to discuss ending the war in Ukraine.
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On Friday, Trump said that he will try to get some territory back for Ukraine during his meeting with Putin.
He said Friday would be a "feel-out meeting" aimed at urging Putin to end the war— suggesting he may view the summit as just an initial encounter.
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Trump also indicated that there could be "some swapping, changes in land" between Russia and Ukraine—which has been vehemently opposed by Zelenskyy.
As the world’s attention shifts to the Alaska talks, a cruise missile with a nuclear propulsion system could become Russia’s bargaining chip.
