What is 9M370 Burevestnik, Russia’s ‘invincible’ nuclear missile, that could hit even the US?

Two US researchers have pinpointed what appears to be the deployment site of Russia’s 9M370 Burevestnik missile, a nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile touted by Russian President Vladimir Putin as “invincible.” The development was first reported by _Reuters_.

Utilising satellite images from Planet Labs, the researchers identified a construction project adjacent to a nuclear warhead storage facility — known both as Vologda-20 and Chebsara—located approximately 475 km (295 miles) north of Moscow.

This facility, previously associated with stockpiling nuclear payloads for land-based missiles, may now be the home for the Burevestnik, potentially allowing for rapid launch capabilities.

What do we know about the 9M370 Burevestnik?

The 9M370 Burevestnik, also known by its NATO designation SSC-X-9 Skyfall, represents one of the most controversial weapons in Russia’s arsenal. First revealed by Putin in March 2018, the missile is designed to carry a nuclear warhead and is propelled by a nuclear-powered engine, theoretically granting it unlimited range.

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According to the International Institute for Strategic Studies, the Burevestnik could have a notional range of up to 20,000 km (12,400 miles), allowing it to strike targets virtually anywhere on the globe from within Russian territory.

Little else is known about the exact technical specifications of the Burevestnik. It is believed that the missile is launched by a small solid-fuel rocket, which then drives air into an engine containing a miniature nuclear reactor.

This reactor superheats the air, providing thrust and enabling the missile to remain airborne for days, if necessary. Estimates suggest the missile is around 12 metres in length at launch, reducing to 9 metres during flight, with a nose shaped like an ellipse, approximately 1 meter by 1.5 meteres in size.

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Reports indicate that the Burevestnik may be launched from ground-based Transporter Erector Launcher (TEL) vehicles, such as the MZKT-7930 unique wheeled chassis with an 8×8 configuration.

Given the missile’s nuclear propulsion, it is expected to weigh significantly more than conventional cruise missiles, possibly ruling out airborne deployment from platforms like the Tu-160 or Tu-95MS bombers.

Is there cause for concern?

If successfully deployed, the Burevestnik would provide Russia with a “unique weapon with intercontinental-range capability,” according to a 2020 report by the United States Air Force’s National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC).

The missile’s ability to fly at low altitudes— between 50 to 100 metres (164 to 328 feet) — and change course unpredictably could allow it to evade current missile defence systems, making it a formidable addition to Russia’s strategic arsenal.

However, many Western experts remain skeptical about the missile’s strategic value. Some argue that the Burevestnik does not significantly enhance Russia’s existing nuclear capabilities, which already include the ability to overwhelm US missile defences.

Others, like former US State Department official Thomas Countryman, criticise the missile as a “uniquely stupid weapon system,” stating the potential for catastrophic accidents and the risk of radioactive contamination along its flight path.

Despite these concerns, the Burevestnik’s development and potential deployment are not restricted by the New START treaty, the last remaining US-Russia arms control agreement, which is set to expire in 2026.

Russia has suspended its participation in negotiations to extend the treaty, raising fears of an unchecked nuclear arms race. Experts suggest that Moscow might use the Burevestnik as a bargaining chip in any future arms control discussions.

What do we know about the missile’s success rate?

Despite its impressive potential, the missile has been plagued by technical difficulties and a poor testing record. Since 2016, at least 13 tests have been conducted, with only two partial successes reported by the Nuclear Threat Initiative (NTI).

The most notorious failure occurred in 2019, when an explosion during a recovery attempt of a failed missile test led to a radiation leak in the White Sea, killing at least five Russian nuclear specialists, reported Reuters. US intelligence at the time had suggested that the incident was suspected to be part of a test of the Burevestnik.

This incident highlighted the severe environmental and safety risks posed by the missile, earning it the nickname “flying Chernobyl.”

Can the Burevestnik be deployed?

The Burevestnik is part of a broader suite of advanced strategic weapons that Russia has been developing, including the Sarmat Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), the Avangard Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV), and the Poseidon nuclear-armed underwater unmanned vehicle (UUV).

These so-called “super weapons” are intended to reinforce Russia’s nuclear deterrence and enhance its global military posture.

However, the development of the Burevestnik has been fraught with challenges, both technical and diplomatic. While Putin has claimed that the missile is “without equal in the world,” its troubled testing history and the inherent risks of nuclear propulsion have led many to question whether the missile will ever be operationally deployed.

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Western experts have long doubted whether the missile would ever enter service, with some estimating that deployment could still be a decade away.

In the meantime, the Burevestnik’s development continues to complicate international arms control efforts. As the New START treaty nears its expiration, the inclusion of new strategic systems like the Burevestnik in future negotiations will be a key issue.

With inputs from agencies