Two American researchers have identified a potential deployment site in Russia for the Burevestnik, a nuclear-powered cruise missile touted by President Vladimir Putin as ‘invincible.’ This missile, dubbed the SSC-X-9 Skyfall by NATO, has been described by Putin as having an almost unlimited range and the ability to evade US missile defenses. However, many Western experts dispute these claims, arguing that the Burevestnik does not offer any new capabilities that Russia doesn’t already possess and that its potential for a radiation-spewing mishap poses a significant risk.
Using satellite imagery from July 26, 2023, analysts Decker Eveleth and Jeffery Lewis pinpointed a construction project near a nuclear warhead storage facility, known as Vologda-20 or Chebsara, as the potential launch site for the Burevestnik. Located 295 miles north of Moscow, the site features nine horizontal launch pads under construction, shielded by berms, and connected by roads to buildings that are likely used for servicing the missiles and their components. Eveleth believes this site is uniquely suited for a large, fixed missile system like the Burevestnik.
The identification of this potential launch site suggests that Russia is moving forward with the deployment of the Burevestnik after facing setbacks during a series of tests in recent years. Experts point to a poor test record, including a 2019 incident where a prototype crashed, releasing a nuclear reactor into the White Sea. The missile’s nuclear-powered engine is also a cause for concern, as it poses a risk of releasing radiation along its flight path and could lead to a potentially contaminating accident.
Despite the Burevestnik’s challenges, some experts believe it could give Russia a unique weapon with intercontinental-range capability. However, others argue that its deployment would not change the nuclear landscape significantly, as Russia already possesses similar capabilities through its ICBMs. They also point out that the missile’s slow speed makes it vulnerable to detection and interception.
The Burevestnik’s deployment is not explicitly banned by the New START treaty, which expires in 2026. However, the US has called for talks with Russia on bringing the Burevestnik under the treaty’s limits, which Russia has so far declined. This refusal, coupled with Russia’s suspension of its participation in the treaty in February 2023, has raised concerns about a potential nuclear arms race.
Experts believe that Russia may be using the Burevestnik as a bargaining chip in future negotiations, particularly regarding US missile defenses and other issues. They view the missile as a political weapon, designed to bolster Putin’s image and demonstrate Russia’s strength on the international stage.
The controversy surrounding the Burevestnik highlights the complex and evolving nature of nuclear weapons development and the potential risks associated with such technologies. As the world grapples with the implications of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, the Burevestnik’s deployment and the uncertainty surrounding its capabilities and risks have added another layer of complexity to the already challenging international security landscape.
