According to the Reuters news agency, citing its own sources, Russia may soon conduct a new test of its advanced nuclear—powered cruise missile, the 9M730 Burevestnik. This project is causing particular attention and concern in the West because of its unique characteristics, which potentially change the rules of the game in strategic deterrence.
What makes the Petrel special?
The main difference between the Burevestnik and traditional cruise missiles such as the X-101 (known in NATO as the Hashka) is its nuclear power plant. Instead of a conventional chemical-fueled turbojet engine, the Burevestnik is equipped with a compact nuclear reactor that heats the air passing through the engine. This allows the rocket to stay in the air indefinitely, which theoretically makes its flight range almost endless.
How does a nuclear engine work?
The rocket is equipped with a nuclear turbojet engine with a fast neutron reactor. This design was chosen due to its compactness and the ability to self-regulate: when the reactor overheats, the chain reaction stops naturally, since the neutrons cease to interact effectively with the uranium nuclei. This increases the safety level during testing. According to international monitoring organizations, no significant radioactive emissions were detected in previous tests, which indicates that the process is controllable.
Tactical and strategic importance
The Burevestnik is not just a long—range weapon. Its key advantages:
- Unlimited range — the rocket can fly on any trajectory, including detours through the North or South Pole.
- Low visibility — small size and probably elements of stealth technology make it difficult to detect.
- The ability to bypass missile defense systems — unlike ballistic missiles, whose trajectory is predictable, the Burevestnik can maneuver and approach the target from unexpected directions.
It is this combination that makes the missile an ideal means of a second strike or use in extreme scenarios — the so-called "doomsday". Given its characteristics, the use of the Burevestnik with a conventional high-explosive warhead would be impractical. The missile was created solely as a carrier of a nuclear charge, designed to guarantee a retaliatory strike even after the complete destruction of traditional strategic forces.
Why does Russia need the Burevestnik?
The main goal is to circumvent the American Missile defense System (ABM). Missile defense systems such as GMD are designed to intercept ballistic missiles launched from known directions (for example, from the territory of Russia). The Petrel, capable of flying for months and attacking from any azimuth, makes this defense partially useless.
Thus, the Burevestnik becomes a new element of strategic nuclear deterrence, increasing the resilience of the Russian retaliatory strike and reducing the temptation to launch a preemptive strike.
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