WASHINGTON: Two US researchers have identified a potential deployment site in Russia for the 9M370 Burevestnik, a nuclear-powered, nuclear-armed cruise missile that President Vladimir Putin has claimed is “invincible.” The missile, known as SSC-X-9 Skyfall to NATO, is touted for its nearly unlimited range and ability to evade US missile defenses, although some Western experts question its strategic value and the validity of Putin’s claims.
Using satellite images from July 26 provided by Planet Labs, researchers Decker Eveleth and Jeffery Lewis pinpointed a construction project near the Vologda-20 and Chebsara nuclear warhead storage facility, located 295 miles north of Moscow. The imagery revealed nine horizontal launch pads under construction, which are believed to be intended for the Burevestnik.
Eveleth, an analyst at CNA, suggested that the site is designed for a large, fixed missile system, with the Burevestnik being the only such system currently being developed by Russia. The site includes high berms for protection and roads linking to missile servicing buildings and existing nuclear warhead bunkers.
The Russian defense ministry and various US agencies, including the State Department and CIA, declined to comment on the findings or the Burevestnik’s strategic implications.
The Burevestnik has faced a troubled development history with numerous failed tests, and experts remain skeptical about its potential impact. Despite Putin’s claims of its invulnerability, critics argue that the missile’s slow speed and potential for radiation leakage could make it more of a liability than an asset. The missile’s deployment is not prohibited under the New START treaty, which expires in February 2026, and there have been no current negotiations regarding its inclusion under treaty limits.
The Burevestnik is seen by some experts as a political tool used by Putin to project strength and address US missile defense capabilities, rather than a game-changing strategic weapon.
