Putin Warns West of Russia's Tested 'Unstoppable' Nuclear 'Flying Chernobyl' Missile

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced the successful test of the 9M730 Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile, nicknamed "Flying Chernobyl," claiming it has unlimited range and the ability to evade all Western missile defenses. The missile reportedly flew for approximately 14,000 kilometers over 15 hours, performing complex maneuvers with guaranteed accuracy against highly protected targets. Putin boasted that Russia's nuclear deterrent forces are at the highest level globally, surpassing those of all other nuclear states, and emphasized that the missile is nearing deployment to the front lines. The test coincided with ongoing military actions in Ukraine, including missile strikes on Kyiv that caused civilian casualties, despite calls for peace from U.S. President Donald Trump. While Putin's announcement signals a significant escalation in nuclear capabilities, Western experts remain skeptical due to the missile's troubled development history marked by numerous test failures and safety concerns. Nonetheless, Russia positions the Burevestnik as a "super weapon" and a key component of its strategic arsenal alongside other advanced nuclear systems.