Russia gears up for nuclear cruise missile test ahead of Trump-Putin summit

Russia appears to be moving toward a test of its nuclear-armed, nuclear-powered cruise missile, the 9M730 Burevestnik (known to NATO as the SSC-X-9 Skyfall), according to two US-based researchers and a Western security source, quoted by Reuters. The preparations come as President Vladimir Putin readies for a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Alaska on August 15 to discuss Ukraine.

Jeffrey Lewis of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in California and Decker Eveleth of the CNA research organisation in Virginia reached their conclusions independently after analysing recent commercial satellite images from Planet Labs, taken up to August 12. Both said the pictures revealed extensive activity at the Pankovo test site on the Barents Sea archipelago of Novaya Zemlya, a location used for earlier Burevestnik trials.

The images showed a surge in personnel and equipment, as well as the presence of ships and aircraft tied to past missile tests.

“We can see all of the activity at the test site, which is both huge amounts of supplies coming in to support operations and movement at the place where they actually launch the missile,” Lewis said.

A Western security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Moscow is preparing for a Burevestnik launch. Lewis suggested the test could happen this week, potentially overshadowing the Trump-Putin summit.

Putin has previously called the Burevestnik “invincible” to existing and future missile defence systems, boasting of its virtually unlimited range and unpredictable flight path. Lewis, Eveleth, and two arms control experts noted that the missile program has gained significance for Russia since Trump announced in January plans for a US “Golden Dome” missile defence shield.

However, many analysts question whether the Burevestnik could truly evade defences or offer Moscow capabilities it does not already possess. They also warn of the radioactive contamination that would result from its nuclear propulsion system.

The researchers and other experts emphasised that such a test would likely have been scheduled well before last week’s announcement of the Trump-Putin meeting. Still, they said Putin could have postponed preparations in full view of US spy satellites as a signal of willingness to end the war in Ukraine and resume arms-control talks. New START, the last US-Russia treaty limiting strategic nuclear arsenals, is set to expire on February 5.

“Sometimes you can push up or push down the schedule for a political reason,” said Tom Countryman, a former US acting undersecretary of state for arms control.

The Burevestnik’s track record has been poor, according to the Nuclear Threat Initiative, with just two partial successes out of 13 known tests.

Evidence of “full steam ahead” preparations

Planet Labs imagery reviewed by Lewis and Eveleth showed large numbers of shipping containers, equipment, and personnel arriving at the site since late July. Lewis noted that two radar-equipped aircraft used for collecting test data had been stationed at Rogachevo military airfield on Novaya Zemlya since mid-July. The planes, seen in images provided to Reuters, are fitted with saucer-shaped radar domes.

At least five ships previously linked to Burevestnik tests were present in nearby waters, Lewis said, and ship-tracking website VesselFinder.com indicated that a sixth vessel, the cargo ship Teriberka, was due to arrive Tuesday. Reuters confirmed the Teriberka’s planned destination but could not verify other details provided by the researchers.

The researchers began closely monitoring the site in July, after Russia issued an August 6 maritime navigation warning advising vessels to avoid the area between August 9-12. Reuters also found a series of US Federal Aviation Administration notices, posted by Russia, suggesting a possible launch window from August 9-22.

The Norwegian military told Reuters that the Barents Sea is a “prime location for Russian missile tests” and said it had indications from public notices and maritime warnings of preparations for test activities, though it would “not confirm any knowledge of what kind of munitions they are to test.”

Eveleth reported that by late July, a protective shelter covering the Burevestnik launcher was being moved back and forth — “very clear evidence,” he said, of test plans. On August 7, Lewis observed the launcher cover open, alongside stacks of shipping containers, a crane, and a helicopter at the site.

“It’s full steam ahead,” Lewis concluded of the pace of preparations.

By Tamilla Hasanova