Putin Announces Successful Test of Nuclear-Powered Missile

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Facts

  • Russian Pres. Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that Russia had successfully tested an experimental nuclear-powered missile — reportedly having a potentially unlimited range.1
  • Without providing details, Putin said that Moscow had conducted 'the last successful test' of the harder-to-detect Burevestnik ('Storm Petrel' in Russian) cruise missile.2
  • Code-named Skyfall by NATO, the next-generation missile system — first mentioned by Putin in 2018 — is also a nuclear-armed strategic weapon.3
  • The Russian president also confirmed that Moscow had additionally completed the Sarmat intercontinental ballistic missile development and is planning to put both weapons systems into production.4
  • Though he said there was no need to change Russia's nuclear doctrine, Putin warned Moscow could 'theoretically revoke ratification' of the 1996 Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. The Soviet Union's last nuclear test was conducted in 1990.5
  • While there's no evidence that either Russia, the US, or China are preparing to conduct nuclear tests, satellite imagery reportedly shows that the three countries have built new facilities at their nuclear test sites.6

Sources: 1BBC News, 2Associated Press, 3The drive, 4Al Jazeera, 5Guardian and 6CNN.

Narratives

  • Pro-Russia narrative, as provided by Tass. The final successful test of the Burevestnik cruise missile is clear evidence that the Western nations have failed to unfairly 'contain' Russia. While the US accuses Moscow of nuclear saber rattling, it's Washington that has signed but not ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Russia has both signed and ratified. Given the West's continued aggressive behavior and deepening Cold War mentality, Moscow is forced to develop its nuclear deterrent capabilities to defend Russia's national sovereignty.
  • Anti-Russia narrative, as provided by New York Times. Even though Putin spoke of a successful final test of the experimental cruise missile, it might still be years away from deployment. However, the missile poses an immense global danger because of its potential range, explosive power, and capability to release harmful radioactive emissions in the event of an explosion or malfunction. Moreover, because the New START treaty expires in 2026, Russia might unleash a new global and uncontrolled nuclear arms race with this irresponsible show of force.
  • Narrative C, as provided by Time. The US and Russia are set to further intensify their nuclear activities in a number of areas since, while both sides remain committed to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, mutual mistrust limits the prospects for productive arms control talks. However, Washington and Moscow have managed to overcome their differences and commit to nuclear arms control in the past. Renewed negotiations are not only in the international community's interest but also in the strategic interest of both countries.

Predictions